The relationship between glaucoma medication adherence, eye drop technique, and visual field defect severity.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to examine (1) how patient adherence and eye drop technique were associated with visual field defect severity and (2) how general glaucoma adherence self-efficacy and eye drop technique self-efficacy were related to visual field defect severity. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study conducted at a single private practice site. PARTICIPANTS: Patients using eye drops for their glaucoma. METHODS: Subject adherence to glaucoma medications through Medication Events Monitoring System (MEMS) devices were measured, and eye drop instillation technique was assessed by video recording. General glaucoma medication adherence self-efficacy was measured using a 10-item scale, and eye drop technique self-efficacy was measured using a 6-item scale. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the data. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual field defect severity. RESULTS: Patients who were less than 80% adherent according to the MEMS devices were significantly more likely to have worse defect severity. Patients with lower scores on the general glaucoma medication adherence self-efficacy scale also were significantly more likely to have worse defect severity. Eye drop technique and eye drop technique self-efficacy were not related significantly to visual field defect severity. CONCLUSIONS: Eye care providers need to assess patient adherence and to work with those patients with poor adherence to find ways to improve their ability and self-efficacy in using their glaucoma medications. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Duke Scholars

Author Asheley Cockrell Skinner Population Health Sciences

Author Kelly Walton Muir Ophthalmology, Glaucoma