Eye drop instillation technique in patients with glaucoma

• Published in: Eye (London) Vol. 27; no. 11; pp. 1293 - 1298
• Main Authors: Tatham, A J, Sarodia, U, Gatrad, F, Awan, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 01.11.2013; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 692/699; 692/700/1719; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Analysis of Variance; Antihypertensive Agents - administration & dosage; Clinical Study; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Glaucoma; Glaucoma - drug therapy; Humans; Laboratory Medicine; Logistic Models; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Ocular Hypertension - drug therapy; Ophthalmic Solutions - administration & dosage; Ophthalmology; Patient Compliance; Patient Education as Topic - standards; Pharmaceutical Sciences/Technology; Self Care; Surgery; Surgical Oncology; drop instillation; medical treatment; eye drop; education; glaucoma; compliance
• ISSN: 0950-222X; 1476-5454
• DOI: 10.1038/eye.2013.187

Aims To evaluate the technique of eye drop instillation in patients with glaucoma and assess factors associated with a good technique. Methods A cross-sectional observational study of 85 participants using self-administered topical medication for glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Patients were asked to demonstrate how they normally instil eye drops using a 5-ml bottle of sterile artificial tear solution. The procedure was recorded and assessed by two masked graders. Whether the patient had been previously shown how to instil drops, the number of eye medications used, and self-perceived difficulty of using drops were also recorded. Univariable logistic regression was performed to relate each variable to drop technique and variables with P <0.2 were included in a multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results 54.1% (46/85) of patients had a poor drop technique, 11.8% (10/85) missed the eye, 15.3% (13/85) touched the tip of the bottle to the bulbar conjunctiva or cornea, and 27.1% (23/85) touched the eyelid or lashes with the bottle tip. 81.2% (69/85) could not recall being shown how to instil eye drops. In the multivariable model, previous instruction regarding drop instillation technique was significantly associated with good technique (adjusted OR=8.17, 95% CI 2.02–33.05, P =0.003) and increasing age was associated with poor technique (adjusted OR=0.95, 95% CI 0.91–0.99, P =0.017). Conclusions Education relating to eye drop instillation technique is significantly associated with a patient's ability to instil drops correctly. The assessment of a patient’s ability to instil eye drops correctly should be a routine part of the glaucoma examination.