Chart documentation by general physicians of the glaucoma medications taken by their patients.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the frequency of documentation of glaucoma medications by primary care physicians.


METHODS
Cross-sectional, observational study.


METHODS
The general medical records of 100 patients of one glaucoma specialist were reviewed. We recorded whether the mention of eyedrops appeared in the medical record.


RESULTS
The median number of glaucoma medications used was 2.5 (range 1 to 5). Fifty-five (55%, 95% confidence interval: 45%-65%) of the medical records of the primary physicians mentioned eyedrops. Alpha-agonists were statistically less frequently documented (13%) in the general medical record than beta-adrenergic blockers (47%) and prostaglandins (44%).


CONCLUSIONS
Almost half of the charts of these primary physicians had no documentation of any eyedrop use by their patients with glaucoma. An important step in reducing drug-induced side effects and interactions with other medications would be better recognition by primary physicians of the ophthalmic drugs used by their patients.
Jampel
Henry D
HD
Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. hjampel@jhmi.edu
Parekh
Parag
P
Johnson
Elizabeth
E
Miller
Rhonda
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004282:Documentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions