Factors associated with adherence to recommended glaucoma medications among patients with glaucoma at national eye hospital, Sri Lanka

Background: Glaucoma is rising as a global health issue. Adherence to recommended medication is a challenge for patients and recognized as an essential component of the management of glaucoma. There are not enough data regarding factors associated with adherence to recommended glaucoma medication among patients with glaucoma in Sri Lanka. Therefore this study was conducted to determine factors associated with adherence to recommended glaucoma medications among patients with glaucoma at National Eye Hospital, Sri Lanka. Method:A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among purposively selected patients (n=300) with glaucoma who admitted to the National Eye Hospital, during the study period. Data were collected using a pre-tested an interviewer-administered glaucoma medication self-efficacy scale questionnaire.Descriptive statistics were used. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Review Committee of KAATSU International University, and further permission was obtained from the National Eye Hospital. Results: Nearly half of the participants (50.7%,152)were Females. Most of them had glaucoma over 1-10 years and belong to ≥60 age group. Most of them(60.3%; 181) were adherent to the recommended medications, and 39.7 % (n=119) were non-adherent.There was a significant association between participants' lifestyle; medications instilled techniques (p <0.05), marital status (socio-demographic factor), and having other non-communicable diseases with adherence to the recommended glaucoma medications. Conclusion: Majority of the participants (94.3%; 283) had good glaucoma outcome expectations such as follow the clinic visits and continues the medications regularly. Participant's lifestyle, medication instilled techniques, socio-demographic factor (marital status) and other non-communicable diseases are associated factors to adherence of glaucoma medications. Appropriate patient education might positively affect the patient’s adherence to recommended glaucoma medications.