title: Patient satisfaction with topical ocular hypotensives.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, observational cohort.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Auckland, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Nathan M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Kerr
authors.forename: Hussain Y
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Shenton Sl
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Chew
authors.forename: Noor Q
authors.initials: NQ
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Elizabeth K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Eady
authors.forename: Helen V
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Danesh-Meyer
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions