Analysis of Eye Drops Applying Behavior in Glaucoma Patients

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to understand the eye drop application method in patients with glaucoma. METHODS: A survey was performed in 5 hospitals on patients diagnosed with glaucoma using eye drops for more than 1 month. Variables associated with eye drop application such as pressing on a dacryocyst after application, time interval between multiple eye drop medications, hygienic management of an eye dropper and shaking a bottle of eye drops before use were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 581 patients were surveyed in the present study. Regarding pressing on a dacryocyst after applying eye drops, 58 (10%) patients responded always, 103 patients (18%) sometimes, and 409 patients (70%) never. Three hundred fifteen patients (54%) did not touch the eye dropper to their eyes, 190 patients (33%) always shook the eye drop bottle before use and 106 patients (18%) shook the bottle sometimes. CONCLUSIONS: When using eye drops for glaucoma to reduce the intraocular pressure, most patients are committing errors, reducing the effect of treatment and likely causing side effects. When prescribing eye drops to glaucoma patients, the physician should educate patients on the proper method of application.