Improving compliance through access to eye drop medication

Over 4% of the over 65's will be diagnosed with glaucoma.

Compliance and concordance within this group is acknowledged as poor with up to 50% of patients failing to take their eye drop medication as prescibed. 

The RNIB estimate  in their report "Don't blame the patient" that around 210,000 people in Britain alone have irreversible sight loss due to glaucoma medication non-compliance.

Forgetfulness is a major contributor, as are co-morbidities such as arthritis. Many cannot get full access to their drops due to poor manual dexterity and lack of confidence.

As a pharmacist, you can promote concordance and independent living for eye drop users by: 

• Giving guidance on good Eye Drop Application Technique.
• Using large (18+) font size for labelling and dosing information.
• Helping to differentiate similar looking medication bottles  
• Using  Medicine Use Reviews to ensure patients have equal access, under the  DDA directive, to their eye drop medication 
• Advising on the availability and  use of eye drop dispensors such as Opticare

View full article as published in Pharmacy in Focus