Understanding Patient Preferences and Their Impact on Adherence to Glaucoma Therapy: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

Le résumé fourni par la source

INTRODUCTION: Glaucoma is a progressive, irreversible optic neuropathy that leads to the loss of retinal ganglion cells, vision loss, and blindness. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is the only modifiable risk factor, and topical hypotensive eye drops remain the mainstay of treatment, reducing disease progression by up to 60%. However, patient adherence to therapy remains a significant challenge since this disease is usually asymptomatic in its early stages. Patient preferences and individual characteristics play a key role in adherence. This study aimed to obtain further knowledge about patient preferences regarding glaucoma treatment to better understand factors influencing adherence. METHODS: A cross-sectional, multicenter survey was conducted in Spain between March and December 2024 among patients with glaucoma receiving topical treatment for more than 6 months. A questionnaire was designed to collect patients' information about their beliefs, preferences, and adherence-related factors. RESULTS: Of 200 participants, 169 valid responses were analyzed. Most patients were aged 51-74 years, 60.2% were women, and 71.2% had been on treatment for more than 12 months. Although 93.5% recognized the importance of preservatives, only 36.0% reported having received information about them from their ophthalmologist. Preferences between multidose bottles (MDBs, 42.2%) and single-dose units (SDUs, 37.0%) were similar, although younger women (18-30 years) showed a preference for SDUs (p < 0.05). Perceived ease of handling was strongly influenced by prior experience. Most patients considered SDUs as more hygienic, whereas MDBs were perceived as more environmentally friendly; nearly 79% valued ecological impact. Self-reported adherence to therapy was moderate, with 57.6% of participants denying missed doses. Nonadherent patients were more likely to favor reminder systems (74.5%, p = 0.029). Treatment efficacy was ranked as the most important factor, followed by side effects, ease of use, cost, and environmental impact. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights substantial variability in patient preferences and underscores the importance of personalized, patient-centered glaucoma care. Enhanced education on preservatives, improved communication, and sustainable packaging could improve adherence and satisfaction. Larger multicenter studies are needed to confirm these findings and inform long-term adherence strategies.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.