Glaucoma treatment compliance: Formative research findings

Consistent compliance with glaucoma medications and follow-up care is a challenge for many patients. In order to develop an automated interactive telephone intervention to improve treatment compliance among glaucoma patients, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 80 glaucoma and glaucoma-suspect patients at 2 hospitals in Atlanta to determine potential message strategies for an intervention.

Interviewees were patients who: were between the ages of 18-80, possessed a telephone, spoke and understood English, were diagnosed with glaucoma, were glaucoma suspect, or were ocular hypertensive, and were taking daily doses of topical treatments. Topics covered included glaucoma awareness and knowledge, barriers and facilitators to compliance, health literacy, social support, and compliance attitudes and behaviors. Compliance was assessed for medication taking, prescription refills, and appointment-keeping both through interviews and objectively from medical and pharmacy records.

Respondents were predominantly African American (92.5%), and 62.5% were male, with a mean age of 62.64 (s.d. = 10.28). Compared to individuals who were compliant with their glaucoma regimen, non-compliers were more likely to have difficulty remembering to take their medication, and taking their medication correctly. Compared to compliers, non-compliers tended to: have less social support with respect to their glaucoma regimen; not believe in the benefits of taking medication; and believe that glaucoma affects their daily tasks. The findings are being used to craft relevant messages related to: 1) schedule and administration; 2) long-term prevention of vision loss; and 3) encouraging non-compliers to seek assistance and support.