Factors that Influence Intraocular Pressure Target in a Sample of Iraqi Patients Using Antiglaucoma Medications: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Anti-glaucoma eye drops are mainly used to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) and manage glaucoma. Many studies found that achievement of the IOP target is poor. Objective: This study aimed to assess the achievement of the IOP target and factors affecting it among a sample of Iraqi patients with glaucoma. Methods: A single-center, cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with glaucoma from December 2023 to April 2024 at Ibn Al-Haytham Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq. All patients who received medical therapy for at least one month were eligible to participate in this study. Intraocular pressure values at the time of initial diagnosis and at the time of enrolment in the study were documented for all included patients. Medication adherence was measured by the Arabic version of the Morisky medication adherence scale-4. Eyedrop administration technique was assessed through direct observation by the researcher using a newly developed and validated checklist. Results: Most participants in the current study were males with primary education. The average disease duration was 14 months. The target IOP was achieved among 36% of participants. The adherence to eye drops was good in 55% of participants. Only 9% of participants administered eye drops with a good technique. Achievement of the IOP target was significantly influenced by good adherence and technique for administration of eye drops (p<0.05). Conclusions: IOP-target achievement is poor among Iraqi patients. Adherence to and administration technique of eye drops are significant factors that could affect IOP-target achievement.