Highlighting the Issues Associated with Glaucoma Medication Therapy: A Pharmaceutical Care Evaluation

Abstract

Background: Drug therapy problems are the main obstacle in the management of chronic diseases. Improper use of medications and non-adherence to medication use are regarded as major factors halting the management of glaucoma. Aim: The present study was designed to shed light on the problems associated with medication therapy for patients with glaucoma in Sulaimani City. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted on fifty patients with glaucoma. Questionnaires were used for demographic data, the patient’s quality of life, and adherence. Patients were assessed for dry eye by using Schirmer’s test type 1. Drug therapy problems (DTPs) and drug interactions were checked using the Medscape interaction database. Results: 60% of the patients were washing their hands before administering eye drops. The majority of patients had the correct position of the head during the administration. While 60% of the patients were closing their eyes after the administration for 2 or 3 minutes. Regarding adherence, only 24% of patients were perfectly adherent to medication use. Noncompliance with their treatments and adverse drug reactions were the most commonly observed DTPs. Thirty-seven of the patients had a metallic taste, and the most common type of drug interactions were significant interactions. Conclusion: The absence of pharmaceutical care has led to many problems associated with the improper use of antiglaucoma drugs. Pharmacists may play a pivotal role in improving the outcomes of patients with glaucoma.

The Achievement of IOP Target Among a Sample of Iraqi Patients with Glaucoma: A Retrospective Study

“…In addition, the retrospective nature of this study, lacking some important informations like central corneal thickness, specifying severity of glaucoma limit the ability to calculate target IOP accurately 24 , 30 and to detect definite reasons behind the inability of most Iraqi glaucoma patients to achieve their target IOP after using anti-glaucoma eye drops. Whatever the reason for this poor outcome, patient education about the proper administration of eye drops, 31 and the importance of adherence to prescribed therapy may help to solve this problem, at least partially. Therefore, pharmacist-led patient education about eye drops to newly diagnosed glaucoma patients is highly recommended.…”