%0 Journal Article
%T Patient Race, Reported Problems in Using Glaucoma Medications, and Adherence
%A Betsy Sleath
%A Susan J. Blalock
%A David Covert
%A Asheley Cockrell Skinner
%A Kelly W. Muir
%A Alan L. Robin
%J ISRN Ophthalmology
%D 2012
%R 10.5402/2012/902819
%X Objective. The objectives of the study were to (a) describe various factors potentially related to objectively measured adherence to glaucoma medications and self-reported glaucoma medication adherence self-efficacy and (b) examine the relationship between patient race, the number of patient reported-problems, and adherence in taking their glaucoma medication. This was a cross-sectional study conducted at two glaucoma subspecialist referral ophthalmology practices. Methods. We measured subjects' reported problems in using glaucoma medications, adherence to glaucoma medications utilizing the Medication Events Monitoring System (MEMS) devices, and general glaucoma medication adherence self-efficacy using a previously validated 10-item scale. Multivariable logistic and linear regression was used to analyze the data. Results. Seventy-one percent of patients self-reported at least one problem in using their glaucoma medications. White patients were more than 3 times more likely to be 80% adherent in using their glaucoma medications than non-White patients. Patients who had glaucoma longer reported significantly higher glaucoma medication adherence self-efficacy. Patients who reported more problems in using their medications had significantly lower glaucoma medication adherence self-efficacy. Conclusions. Eye care providers should assess patient reported problems and glaucoma medication adherence self-efficacy and work with patients to find ways to reduce the number of problems that patients experience to increase their self-efficacy in using glaucoma medications. 1. Introduction Between 9% and 12% of all blindness in the Unites States is attributed to glaucoma [1]. Proper use of glaucoma medications can lower intraocular pressure and reduce the progression of glaucoma [2]. However, nonadherence to treatment regimens remains a significant problem [3, 4]. Approximately half of all subjects who are started on glaucoma medications will discontinue treatment within 6 months [5]. Few prior studies have examined the relationship between race and adherence to glaucoma medications and these studies had contradictory results [3, 6¨C10]. Both Patel and Spaeth and Sleath et al. [7, 9] found that African Americans were more likely to report missing doses of their glaucoma drops than Whites, and electronic monitoring revealed African American race as a risk factor for poor glaucoma medication adherence [6]. However, other studies using electronic monitors [10] and pharmacy report [8] found no association between race and adherence to glaucoma medications. Racial
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/isrn.ophthalmology/2012/902819/