Patient satisfaction with topical ocular hypotensives

Background: The aim of this study is to assess patient satisfaction, convenience of use, ease of administration, side effects and treatment burden of topical ocular hypotensives.

Design: Prospective, observational cohort.

Participants: Two thousand five hundred and forty-one patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Methods: The Treatment Impact Patient Satisfaction Scale (TIPSS) was administered by mail to all patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension registered with Glaucoma New Zealand during a 3-month study period. The questionnaire assessed patient demographics; topical ocular hypotensive use including number of medications, frequency of administration, ease of use, class of medication, and presence/severity of side effects; impact on quality of life; and patient satisfaction. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify determinants of patient satisfaction.

Main outcome measures: Patient satisfaction.

Results: Almost 80% of respondents were either 'very satisfied' or 'satisfied' with topical ocular hypotensives. Factors that were predictive of patient satisfaction included satisfaction with frequency of eye drop use {odds ratio (OR) 2.4 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.8-3.1); P < 0.001}, subjective convenience (OR 2.6 [95% CI 2.0-3.4]; P < 0.001) and ease of administration (OR 2.5 [95% CI 2.0-3.3]; P < 0.001). Male gender was associated with lower satisfaction (OR 0.6 [95% CI 0.5-0.9]; P = 0.01). Factors that were not predictive of patient satisfaction included age, duration of eye drop use, class of medication and the presence of side effects.

Conclusions: Patients with glaucoma and ocular hypotension are satisfied with topical ocular hypotensives. Efforts to improve patient satisfaction should focus on convenience and ease of administration.