Compliance with topical glaucoma medications in Owo, Nigeria
CO OMOLASE 1, OT OGUNLEYE 1, OA SOTILOYE 1, AK AKINWALERE 1, OA ADEOSUN 1, BO OMOLASE 2
1 Department of Ophthalmology and 2 Department of Radiology, Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Poor compliance with medications is a major challenge in the management of primary open angle glaucoma as it can lead to deterioration of eyesight. This study assessed the compliance with glaucoma medications among patients attending an Eye Clinic in Nigeria. We also assessed the problems encountered during the applications of topical medications. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted over a period of one year (October 2011 to October 2012) at the Eye Clinic of the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria. Informed consent was obtained and all consecutive patients with glaucoma presenting to the Clinic during the study period were interviewed with the aid of a semi-structured questionnaire. The study was approved by the Health Research Ethics Review Committee of the hospital. The data obtained was analysed with SPSS 15.0.1 statistical software version. Results: One hundred respondents (60 males and 40 females) with an age range of 22 to 88 years old were interviewed. The majority of the respondents (66%) complied fully with their medications, whilst the remainders (34%) were either partially or fully non-compliant. Most respondents (83%) understood the importance of their medication while the remaining 17% did not. The most common problems encountered during applications of medications were eye drops falling on the cheeks (51%) and too many drops falling out (35%). Conclusion: Most respondents complied fully with their glaucoma medication. The problems encountered by patients in applying glaucoma medication should be holistically addressed to overcome them so as to enhance compliance with glaucoma medication.
Keywords: Glaucoma, compliance, complications, topical medication
Correspondence author: CO OMOLASE
Department of Ophthalmology, Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria
Brunei Int Med J. 2013; 9 (3): 172-177