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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a novel mirror-hat drop delivery aid. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty eyes from 30 subjects with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension attending the glaucoma unit at the Toronto Western Hospital. METHODS: The mirror-hat device consists of a magnifying mirror attached to a brimmed cap. The aid was provided to subjects who self-administered topical antiglaucoma medications. Drop instillation technique (time taken to instill a drop, number of drops dispensed, drop contact location, and contamination of bottle tip) was evaluated with and without the device. Subjects also completed a survey regarding drop administration and satisfaction with the device. RESULTS: Subjects were less likely to contaminate the bottle tip by touching their eye/eyelid when using the device than without the device (13% vs 37%, respectively, p = 0.02). Twenty-six subjects (86.7%) indicated they could see the drop using the device versus 12 (40%) who reported they saw the drop without the device (p = 0.0005). There were no statistically significant differences in any of the other outcomes. No predictive factors were associated with improved drop administration technique while using the device including uncorrected near-visual acuity, lens status, and glaucoma severity. CONCLUSIONS: Use of the mirror-hat aid is associated with significantly less bottle-tip contamination and better visualization of the drop than without the device; however, the device did not help to reduce time, number of drops, or accuracy when administering eye drops.
Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto.
Full article11.16 Vehicles, delivery systems, pharmacokinetics, formulation (Part of: 11 Medical treatment)
11.17 Cooperation with medical therapy e.g. persistency, compliance, adherence (Part of: 11 Medical treatment)