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Glaucoma patients receptive to novel subconjunctival drug delivery method
A majority of glaucoma patients were willing to use a new, slow-release subconjunctival drug delivery system in place of conventional topical medications, according to a study.
The cross-sectional study included 151 glaucoma patients with a mean age of 65.25 years who answered a questionnaire and were informed about an alternative treatment method involving subconjunctival injections at 3-month intervals.
Patients were asked to state their willingness to accept a novel drug delivery method that costs the same as, or more than, their existing medications.
Study results showed that 112 patients (74.2%) stated a willingness to try the new injection method; 101 of the 112 patients (90.2%) were willing to accept injections at the same cost as their existing medications, and 87 of the 101 patients (86.1%) were willing to accept injections at a higher cost. These 87 patients were taking a higher number of medications (P = .006) and more often (P = .003) than those who were not willing to pay a higher price for the new treatment.
Nine of 10 patients who reported nonadherence to their medication expressed willingness to accept subconjunctival injections in place of their topical medications, the authors said.