The eye drop chart: a pilot study for improving administration of and compliance with topical treatments in glaucoma patients

Figures & data

Figure 1 The eye drop chart.

Notes: At the front the various eye drops with their frequencies and visual explanations are given (A). At the back there are detailed instructions about the eye drop chart and how to use it as well as instructions about drop instillation (B) along with a detailed educational leaflet of correct eye drop administration technique (C).

Table 1 Questionnaire regarding the use of EDC – pre- and posttest

Questions	Answers
How often do you remember to wash your hands before using your eye drops?	Every time Often Once a week or less
How often do you remember to shake the bottle before use?	Every time Often Once a week or less
How often do you manage to administer one eye drop to the eye?	Every time Often Once a week or less
How often does the bottle tip touch the eye when using your eye drops?	Every time Often Once a week or less
How often do the drops miss the eye?	Every time Often Once a week or less
How often do you close the eye or press on the tear ducts after using drops?	Every time Often Once a week or less
How long do you do this for?	NA – no <1 minute 1–5 minutes
How often do you remember to leave 5 minutes between different drops?	Every time Often Once a week or less
If you use drops and ointments, how often do you remember to use the drops first?	Every time Often Once a week or less
How often do you discard your drops bottle after 28 days of use?	Every time Often Once a week or less

Abbreviations: EDC, eye drop chart; NA, not answered.

Table 2 Reflective questions following the trial of EDC

Questions	Answers
Did you find the EDC useful?	Yes Maybe No
What did you like about the EDC?	Everything Instructions/reminder Bright Nothing
What did you dislike about the EDC?	Nothing Purposeless Shape/size/color
Would you continue using the EDC?	Yes Maybe No
Would you recommend the EDC to a friend?	Yes Maybe No
Do you feel the EDC has improved your drop administration techniques and compliance?	Yes Maybe No
How often did you feel you forgot your drops while using the EDC?	Never Rarely Weekly
Did you encounter any other issues regarding drop use?	Yes No

Abbreviation: EDC, eye drop chart.

Table 3 Demographics and clinical characteristics

	Number of subjects (%)
Sex
Male	13 (52)
Female	12 (48)
Age (years)
<69	9 (36)
69–85	10 (40)
85+	6 (24)
Employment
Working	4 (16)
Retired/unemployed	21 (84)
Living circumstances
Alone	7 (28)
Partner	15 (60)
Family	3 (12)
Glaucoma type
Primary open-angle glaucoma	12 (48)
Normal tension glaucoma	5 (20)
Ocular hypertension	1 (4)
Pigment dispersion glaucoma	2 (8)
Narrow-angle glaucoma	1 (4)
Not specified	4 (16)
Comorbidities
None	21 (84)
Dry eye	2 (8)
Age-related macular degeneration	2 (8)

Table 4 Comparison of pre- and post-EDC results of steps taken during administration process of eye drops

	Pre-EDC subjects (%)	Post-EDC subjects (%)	P-value
Wash hands before
Every time	16 (64)	23 (92)	0.029*
Often	7 (28)	1 (4)
Once a week or less	2 (8)	1 (4)
Shake bottle before
Every time	10 (40)	21 (84)	0.001*
Often	4 (16)	3 (12)
Once a week or less	11 (44)	1 (4)
One drop in each eye
Every time	16 (64)	16 (64)	0.438
Often	9 (36)	7 (28)
Once a week or less	0 (0)	2 (8)
Bottle tip touch
Every time	0 (0)	0 (0)	0.999
Often	4 (16)	5 (20)
Once a week or less	21 (84)	20 (80)
Miss the eye
Every time	0 (0)	0 (0)	0.06
Often	8 (32)	5 (20)
Once a week or less	17 (68)	20 (80)
Tear ducts occlusion
Every time	11 (44)	18 (72)	0.015*
Often	3 (12)	5 (20)
Once a week or less	11 (44)	2 (8)
Duration of duct occlusion
na – no	19 (76)	10 (40)	0.035*
<1 minute	3 (12)	7 (28)
1–5 minutes	3 (12)	8 (32)
5 minutes between drops
Every time	7 (28)	6 (24)	0.999
Often	1 (4)	1 (4)
Once a week or less	17 (68)	18 (72)
Order in use drops then ointment
Every time	1 (4)	2 (8)	0.999
Often	0 (0)	0 (0)
Once a week or less	24 (96)	23 (92)
Monthly disposal of bottle
Every time	17 (68)	23 (92)	0.09
Often	2 (8)	1 (4)
Once a week or less	6 (24)	1 (4)
Missed drops
Never	9 (36)	12 (48)	0.474
Rarely	11 (44)	11 (44)
Weekly	5 (20)	2 (8)

Notes:

* P<0.05.

Abbreviations: EDC, eye drop chart; NA, not answered.