Adherence to Preservative-Free Dorzolamide/Timolol Fixed Combination Assessed by Counting the Unused Single-Dose Units.
10.3341/jkos.2015.56.6.906
- Author:
Dong Yun YEON
1
;
Chungkwon YOO
;
Ji Hye PARK
;
Ji Yun HAN
;
Yong Yeon KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Ophthalmology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. augen@lycos.co.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Adherence;
Dorzolamide/timolol fixed combination;
Glaucoma;
Single dose units
- MeSH:
Appointments and Schedules;
Glaucoma;
Glaucoma, Open-Angle;
Humans;
Ophthalmic Solutions;
Surveys and Questionnaires
- From:Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society
2015;56(6):906-910
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: To investigate the actual adherence to treatment with preservative-free dorzolamide-timolol fixed combination (DTFC) eyedrops of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients by counting the number of unused single-dose units of DTFC. METHODS: This study included 34 POAG patients newly prescribed with preservative-free DTFC eyedrops (formulated in single-dose units). The enrolled patients were asked to bring the unused DTFC units on their next visit after 2 weeks of treatment with DTFC. On their second visit, they were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding the self-reported adherence and the number of unused DTFC single-dose units was counted. The actual adherence (%) was calculated by dividing the expected number of used DTFC units by the actual number of used DTFC units. The correlation between the self-reported adherence and the measured adherence was assessed. RESULTS: Twenty-nine (93.5%) patients answered they adhered to the medication by more than 90% and 2 (6.5%) answered they instilled the eyedrops at 80-90% of the dosing schedule. However, after counting the unused DTFC single-dose units, 9 (29.0%) patients showed an actual adherence of <90%. Moreover, the actual adherence of 3 (9.7%) patients was <60%. Unexpectedly, 4 (12.9%) patients showed the actual adherence exceeding 100% (196%, 1 patient; 107-132%, 3 patients). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated a large difference between the self-reported and the actual adherence to treatment by counting the unused single-dose units of eyedrops. Preservative-free topical anti-glaucoma medications (formulated in single-dose units) provide clinicians an opportunity to assess the actual adherence of glaucoma patients by counting the unused units of eyedrops.
