The Study of Knowledge and Ocular Tension in Glaucoma Patients of Chumphon Khet Udomsakdi Hospital

Abstract

Background: Compliance is an important to reach the target tension of glaucoma.

Objectives: To compare intraocular pressure (IOP) and glaucoma knowledge before and after using medication record sheet and giving information of glaucoma respectively, at day 1 (d1) and day 30 (d30).

Materials and Methods: This quasi experiment study comprised 99 eyes and all of patients using only anti-glaucoma eye drop medication with exclude post trabeculectomy, laser peridotomy and other intervention to control IOP. Intraocular pressure was measured by using Goldmann applanation at d1 and d30 after using the medication record sheet. Pre-test (d1) and Post-test (d30) with ten questions were done to compare the glaucoma knowledge after giving the information of glaucoma disease. Data were analysed by using Pair T-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test.

Results: A total of 50 patients, male and female were 56% and 44%, respectively. The mean ± standard deviation age was 69.82 ±10.05 (range 41-88) years. Underlying diseases were found in 74% of patients with mostly are hypertension (56%). Intraocular pressure was significantly decreased from 17.49 ±-5.07 mmHg to 15.00 ±3.71 mmHg (p= 0.0005). The glaucoma basic knowledge was significantly increased from 8.30 ± 1.27 to 9.72 ± 0.83 (p = 0.0005). Only 4% (2 patients) had missed the eye drop for one time.

Conclusion: Using the medication record sheet and giving the information of glaucoma can improve the treatment in glaucoma patients to control their IOP (good compliance). Finally, this finding leads to develop the treatment plan in the rural area of glaucoma patients in Chumphon, Thailand.