Factors affecting patients’ adherence to long-term therapy for primary open-angle glaucoma

Aim. To assess patients’ adherence to conservative treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma and analyze the reasons for non-compliance with recommendations. Methods. A survey was conducted among patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (112 people aged 40 to 89 years), which included 17 questions with answer options. Results. The survey revealed a number of both understandable and unobvious factors that reduce patients’ adherence to treatment, such as inconvenience or impossibility of drops instillation, lack of understanding of the seriousness of their diagnosis and the need to follow strictly the prescribed treatment, and lack of desire to discuss with the doctor the reasons for non-compliance with treatment. Conclusions. Physicians need to have an open dialogue with patients about their concerns and beliefs, the cost of medications, and develop an individualized plan to optimize compliance with intraocular pressure-lowering medications. Key words: primary open-angle glaucoma, patient’s adherence to treatment