Level of Adherence to Glaucoma Medication and Its Associated Factors Among Adult Jordanian Patients.

BACKGROUND

Glaucoma is considered the second most common cause of blindness in patients above the age of 50. Lack of adherence to glaucoma medications frequently results in undesirable complications, specifically blindness and disability.

PURPOSE

The study's objectives are to evaluate the level of adherence to glaucoma topical medications and factors associated with adherence to glaucoma medications.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In total, 348 patients, of whom 48.6% were above the age of 65, were recruited. A cross-sectional study from August 2018 to March 2020 was conducted on glaucoma patients who were referred to the Department of Ophthalmology in Royal Medical Services in Amman, Jordan. A questionnaire was employed to collect patients' demographic data, level of adherence, and factors associated with medication adherence. The inclusion criteria include the following: age above 20 years, diagnosis of glaucoma, currently under medical treatment, and willingness to participate in the study. Exclusion criteria include the following: patients who were hospitalized for glaucoma treatment, patients who had unstable medical conditions, and any patients for whom ophthalmologists had determined that they should be excluded for any other reasons.

RESULTS

Almost half (47.1%) of the patients adhered to their personal glaucoma medications, and the most frequent cause of nonadherence was forgetfulness (39.9%), whereas the least common was stopping the drug after feeling better (7.0%).

CONCLUSION

Proper patient education and explanation of the seriousness of medication adherence and its association with treatment outcomes, along with assisting old and disabled patients when applying ophthalmic medications, may positively improve the adherence of patients to glaucoma and other related visual impairment medications.