Exploring patient experiences with eye drops for glaucoma
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Patient experiences of using eye drops for glaucoma and ocular hypertension: a qualitative study exploring adherence behaviours
IRAS ID
176905
Contact name
Roseanna Brady
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Staffordshire University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 0 days
Research summary
In order for eye drops for treatment of glaucoma or ocular hypertension to be clinically effective, they need to be used as prescribed every day over many years. Despite this, some patients do not fill even a first prescription, many do not use the treatments as prescribed and, 12 months after initial prescription, more than half of patients have stopped using the treatment. Because of this, they risk loss of vision or blindness.
It is difficult for clinicians to know if patients are taking the treatment every day as prescribed. Patients are known to use their eye drops in the days immediately before and after consultation but not in between, and are often reluctant to admit to clinical staff that they are not using the treatment regularly or at all. Poor adherence to treatment can adversely impact clinical outcomes and lead to prescription of additional medications or surgical interventions that might otherwise have been avoided. These additional interventions place a burden on the patient and add considerable cost to healthcare services.
Research to date has explained some of the reasons for poor adherence to treatment but there are many gaps in our knowledge and understanding. Adherence to medication is a complex behaviour, influenced by a range of psychological and social factors, yet few studies have used psychological theory to research this behaviour in people with, or at risk of, glaucoma. This qualitative study will use an integrated theory of behaviour, COM-B, to investigate patient experiences of being prescribed, and of using or not using, the eye drops prescribed. The aim is to find new understanding to help to develop interventions to help patients to use their eye drops in such a way as to achieve the best clinical outcomes.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
15/WS/0195
Date of REC Opinion
3 Sep 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion