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Abstract #51870 Published in IGR 14-4
Acceptance, attitudes, and beliefs of Singaporean Chinese toward an ocular implant for glaucoma drug delivery
Foo RC; Lamoureux EL; Wong RC; Ho SW; Chiang PP; Rees G; Aung T; Wong TTInvestigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science 2012; 53: 8240-8245
PURPOSE: We investigated patients' attitudes and perceptions toward a subconjunctival implant as a novel ocular drug delivery method for glaucoma. METHODS: We recruited 344 Chinese patients with primary open angle or angle closure glaucoma currently on topical antiglaucoma medication for a minimum of six months from specialist glaucoma clinics. Sociodemographic data, and information about patients' general and ocular health were collected. Beliefs about medicines, glaucoma, eye drops, and self-reported adherence were assessed by trained interviewers using validated questionnaires. A description about the implant was provided and patients subsequently were assessed on their understanding and acceptance. RESULTS: Of the 344 Chinese patients enrolled, 216 (62.8%) would accept the implant as a replacement for their current eye drops. Of those who accepted the implant, 99 (45.8%) were willing to accept it at similar costs, while 40 (18.5%) and 20 (9.3%) patients were willing to pay 1.5 and 2 times the cost of their present medication, respectively. Patients who accepted the implant had more severe glaucoma (P = 0.015) and felt that the implant was more helpful than eye drops (P < 0.001). Beliefs toward medicines, glaucoma, eye drops, self-reported adherence, and sociodemographic factors did not have a significant impact on the patients' decisions. CONCLUSIONS: An ocular drug implant would be an acceptable alternative to topical eye drops for subgroups of glaucoma patients.
Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore.
Full articleClassification:
9.1.2 Juvenile glaucoma (Part of: 9 Clinical forms of glaucomas > 9.1 Developmental glaucomas)
11.16 Vehicles, delivery systems, pharmacokinetics, formulation (Part of: 11 Medical treatment)