ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Difficulty of use of eyedrops is a factor associated with poor patient compliance that reduces treatment efficacy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the handiness and global acceptability of the new Abak timolol bottle (multidose preservative-free eyedrops) in comparison with that of other administration systems (classical multidose eyedrops or single-doses) in patients treated for glaucoma or ocular hypertension. METHODS: Cross-sectional, retrospective and multicentre study involving 41 ophthalmologists in France. Selected patients were those who had been treated with the new Abak bottle since at least two months, as a replacement for other beta-blocker eyedrops. Handiness and acceptability of the new Abak bottle in comparison with other delivery systems were evaluated using a questionnaire filled by the investigator. RESULTS: Almost all the patients were unanimous regarding the handiness of the new Abak bottle: easy to open for 96.5% of them, easy to handle for 96.0%, and easy to get drops for 91.1%. For all these criteria and in a general manner, patients preferred the new Abak bottle in comparison with the previous eyedrop container. These results were confirmed in the oldest patients. CONCLUSION: The new Abak bottle had a greater acceptability compared to preserved multidose eyedrops or to single-doses. Its handiness and the absence of preservative which may improve local tolerance are in favor of a greater compliance in chronically treated patients.
