title: Comparison of eyedrop instillation technique with and without a delivery device in inexperienced patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the instillation of eyedrops with and without Xal-Ease® delivery device in inexperienced patients based on patient observation and answers to a questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study included consecutive patients considered inexperienced in instilling eyedrops. After a short explanation about the methods, drop instillation technique was evaluated with and without the device. Subjects also completed a survey regarding drop administration and satisfaction. Successful instillation was defined as instilling a single drop in the eye without touching the eye with the bottle tip on the first attempt.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall rate of successful instillation (43%) was the same for both techniques (with or without the device). Without the device, the bottle tip touched the eye or periocular tissues in 8 eyes (35%) compared with 0 (0%) with the Xal-Ease® (p&lt;0.01). The number of eyedrops dispensed was significantly higher with Xal-Ease® (1.4 ± 0.5 without the device versus 2.0 ± 1.1 with Xal-Ease®; p = 0.03). Using the Xal-Ease® device, 13 (57%) of the patients needed to make more than one attempt, versus 6 (26%) patients without the device (p = 0.04). Overall, 9 (39%) preferred traditional instillation and 14 (61%) preferred to use the device.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Xal-Ease® successfully decreased mechanical contact of the tip of the bottle. However, Xal-Ease® failed to help inexperienced subjects dispense fewer drops, or improve accuracy, suggesting that more training might be needed to achieve a good eyedrop administration technique with the device.
authors.affiliation:  Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro - Brazil.| Federal Hospital of Bonsucesso, Rio de Janeiro - Brazil.
authors.forename: Beatriz F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.affiliation:  Federal Hospital of Bonsucesso, Rio de Janeiro - Brazil.
authors.forename: Marília
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lordello
authors.affiliation:  Federal Hospital of Bonsucesso, Rio de Janeiro - Brazil.
authors.forename: Luiz F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Celli
authors.affiliation:  Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro - Brazil.| University of São Paulo, São Paulo - Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcony R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Santhiago
authors.affiliation:  Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro - Brazil.
authors.forename: Haroldo V
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Moraes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D065346:Lubricant Eye Drops / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012646:Self Administration; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D065346:Lubricant Eye Drops; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions