Eye drop instillation technique in patients with glaucoma

Abstract

Aims To evaluate the technique of eye drop instillation in patients with glaucoma and assess factors associated with a good technique. Methods A cross-sectional observational study of 85 participants using selfadministered topical medication for glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Patients were asked to demonstrate how they normally instil eye drops using a 5-ml bottle of sterile artificial tear solution. The procedure was recorded and assessed by two masked graders. Whether the patient had been previously shown how to instil drops, the number of eye medications used, and self-perceived difficulty of using drops were also recorded. Conclusions Education relating to eye drop instillation technique is significantly associated with a patient's ability to instil drops correctly. The assessment of a patient's ability to instil eye drops correctly should be a routine part of the glaucoma examination.

Factors affecting eye drop instillation in glaucoma patients with visual field defect

“…The result of this study suggests that physicians should direct interest and care on the accuracy of patient’s eye drop instillation. Of various factors that are associated with instillation failure, older age [4,7,10] has been reported to be a factor causing instillation failure. In our study, older age (≥ 65 years) was not significantly associated with instillation failure in glaucoma patients.…”

“…Such difficulties may be responsible for involuntary non-compliance not perceived by the patient [4,5]. Moreover, even when glaucoma patients have poor technique, they are often unaware of the problem [6,7]. …”

“…Previous studies have reported that glaucoma patients tend to have difficulties with self-instillation of eye drops [7–9], and the factors associated with poor technique include older age [4,7,10,11], poor vision [12,13] and physical disability [14]. Stone et al [9] as well as Hennessy et al [5] evaluated the accuracy of eye drop instillation by taking videography.…”

Technical Evaluation of Eye Drops Instillation: A Systematic Review

“…This happens because, unlike medical treatments based on drug oral intake, the correct use of eye drops depends on a administration technique based on fine motor movements [6]. According Tatham et al [7] inadequate eye drops instillation may lead to treatment failure, unnecessary use of medicines and can cause eye infection due to contact of eye drops with eye region.…”

Glaucoma: the patient’s perspective

“…Over half of patients have a poor technique of drop instillation and >10% miss the eye completely. 5 Education can improve the ability to instil drops but a surprisingly large number of patients have never been shown how to use them. Compliance aids, which are devices to aid drop delivery, may help some.…”