This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Surgeon: Improving glaucoma drug adherence should focus on patient
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
NEW YORK — Patients' adherence to glaucoma drug regimens can be improved by using strategies that address the patients' behavioral and cognitive needs, according to a physician speaking here.
Robert D. Fechtner, MD, discussed issues relating to glaucoma therapy compliance in a presentation at the New Frontiers in Glaucoma meeting held by Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons.
He said adherence to treatment regimens increases when patients can directly correlate some regular activity to their therapy. For instance, linking instillation of their medications with a common behavioral task such as brushing their teeth can help improve adherence.
Patients also need to feel that that using their glaucoma medications has some effect, Dr. Fechtner said. Educating patients about the importance and benefits of regular use of their drugs or medications can help in this regard.
In addition, patients should understand that they can admit that they have not been compliant with prescribed treatment and have not recently taken their drops, he noted.
"There's an imbalance of power in the physician-patient relationship. Our patients want to please us," Dr. Fechtner said. "We need to give them permission for what we all expect; people have difficulties taking their eye drops."
Forgetfulness is the most common reason patients cite for not using their glaucoma medications, which Dr. Fechtner called an "easy excuse." He recommended devices such as alarm clocks and dosing tools to both remind patients of their medications and record their drop-taking habits.