Glaucoma patient satisfaction regarding tolerance to their prostaglandin treatment: results from the GOAL (Glaucoma patients treated with prOstaglandins; sAtisfaction evaLuation) survey in Europe

Purpose

The high prevalence of ocular surface diseases (OSD) in patients treated for OHT/glaucoma is expected to displease them. To evaluate this, a survey was conducted in three European countries: the Netherlands, Belgium and United Kingdom.

Methods

In this multicentre epidemiological survey, the following data were recorded during a visit to the ophthalmologist: glaucoma history, previous treatments and reasons for any change, tolerance, patient satisfaction, ocular signs and the presence of OSD.

Results

The data of 793 patients treated with prostaglandins were analysed (168 from the Netherlands, 253 from Belgium and 372 from England). Only 9% of the treatments were preservative-free.

A very large number (93.7%) of patients declared to be satisfied or very satisfied with their current glaucoma treatment. The mean score of tolerance evaluated on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was 82.7 ± 16.1 mm (range from 0 mm: very bad tolerance to 100 mm: very good tolerance).

At the same time, the survey revealed (displayed in percentage of all patients):

The presence of hyperaemia, ocular signs, and symptoms upon or between instillations, positive conjunctival staining and frequent use of tear substitutes was statistically significantly linked to patient satisfaction (p ≤ 0.006).

Conclusions

A high percentage of satisfied patients (94%) was found in this survey, despite OSD signs and symptoms. Tear film substitutes are commonly prescribed to treat these side effects. Alternative treatment regimes such as preservative free treatments may reduce local side effects and encourage ophthalmologists to convince their patients that local intolerance is no longer inevitable.