Survey of medical treatment in primary open-angle glaucoma

Purpose.- To survey patient understanding of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and difficulties associated with medical treatment of POAG patients, to determine patient compliance rates with medical therapy, to study factors influencing compliance rates, and to formulate suggestions to improve patient compliance. Patients and methods.- Our descriptive prospective study was carried out at the ophthalmology clinic of the Hubert K. Maga national university medical center and in the "La Lumire" ophthalmology clinic in Cotonou, from January 5 through April 25, 2009. The study included all glaucoma patients under medical treatment for at least 1 year with no surgical POAG intervention, seen in consultation during the study period, i.e. 120 patients. The following parameters were studied: whether the patient took or forgot to take his or her medication within the week preceding the survey, the patient's statement of whether or not voluntary interruption of antiglaucoma treatment occurred for more than 1 day, and the regularity of follow-up appointments with the doctor over the preceding 2 years. Results.- The median age of the patients was 56.5 ± 11.9 years. A percentage of 90.8 of patients understood the chronic nature of POAG. A percentage of 91.7 knew that, in the absence of treatment, POAG can result in irreversible blindness. A percentage of 90 knew that medical treatment is intended to be lifelong. A percentage of 84.2 knew that the dosing schedule must be adhered to. The rate of total compliance was 53.3%. Only regularity of follow-up visits and adherence to dosing schedules were found as significant factors (P < 0.05). Conclusion.- Compliance is a dynamic variable which ophthalmologists need to evaluate throughout the follow-up of POAG patients, in order to reduce the prevalence of glaucoma blindness in Bénin. © 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.