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Strategy might help glaucoma specialists evaluate compliance
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PARIS — Poor compliance to medical treatment is a well-known problem with glaucoma patients. At the meeting of the French Society of Ophthalmology, Jean-Paul Renard, MD, suggested a strategy to evaluate compliance and actively involve the patient.
The first step is to ask patients how they use their drops.
"Give your patients the opportunity to tell you what they understood and what they really do before correcting their mistakes and offering suggestions," Dr. Renard said.
Next, tell patients that you understand that taking medications regularly can be difficult and that you are aware of all the problems, such as instillation, carrying the drugs with them when they are traveling and cost.
"Remind them that nobody is perfect. They will feel reassured and no longer afraid of your judgment," Dr. Renard said
Finally, gently educate your patients to be sincere.
"Don't force them to admit they have been noncompliant," he said. "Rather, make them feel that reporting their noncompliance is part of a process of cooperation with their specialist towards the success of a sight-saving treatment."