Chronic open angle glaucoma: patient awareness of the nature of the disease, topical medication, compliance and the prevalence of systemic symptoms.
OBJECTIVE
To study the awareness of the nature of the disease, compliance with treatment, and prevalence of systemic symptoms in a group of patients with chronic open angle glaucoma (COAG).


METHODS
A structured questionnaire was designed and given to 260 consecutive COAG patients attending a general ophthalmology clinic. Questions related to the increased risk of COAG amongst family members, screening of family members, nature of field defects, variation in IOP, topical treatment and availability of a free eye test for a COAG patient in the UK were asked. Compliance and systemic symptoms were also assessed.


RESULTS
Forty-one per cent (107 of 260) of patients in the study group were aware of the increased risk of COAG in family members and 45.5% (118 of 260) of patient's family members had undergone screening for COAG. Seventy-three per cent (191 of 260) of the patients were aware of their own and their family members' entitlement to a free eye test. Seventy-seven per cent of patients claimed full compliance. Thirty per cent of patients were noted to have systemic symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
The awareness of the nature of COAG in this population was low and incidence of perceived drug related systemic symptoms very high. Both of these may contribute to poor compliance.
Deokule
Sunil
S
Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Dudley Road, Birmingham B18 7QP, UK.
Sadiq
Saghir
S
Shah
Sunil
S
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001364:Awareness; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014785:Vision, Ocular / Q000502:physiology
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists