Impact of pharmacist-led interventions in improving adherence to glaucoma medications in the geriatric population

Abstract

Objectives: Geriatric patients can be non-adherent to ophthalmic glaucoma medications because of complex eye drops instillation techniques and forgetfulness, so pharmacists can play their part in improving the clinical outcomes of patients by acting as care providers. The purpose of the current study was to implement various pharmacist-led interventions to improve adherence to glaucoma medications and to evaluate the outcomes of interventions in the geriatric population.

Methods: The Morisky Green Levine (MGL) adherence scale was used for analysis because it measures the extent of non-adherence and analyses the reasons for it. The interview-based sessions were conducted with control and interventional groups followed by educational interventions, including techniques for eye drop instillation, graphical images, precautionary measures, and individual patient counselling for the interventional group. Patients were asked to complete the adherence scale after the conclusion of every follow-up session for a duration of 6 months.

Results: After 6 months of pharmacist-led interventions, a significant shift was found in the interventional group from low to high adherence according to MGL scale evaluation. Moreover, the number of patients in the interventional group whose intraocular pressure was in the safe range significantly increased and follow-up sessions significantly improved the patient’s knowledge about glaucoma.

Conclusion: The results of this pharmacist-led educational interventional study showed it was effective in improving adherence to glaucoma medications in the geriatric patients, who showed better adherence scores and improved intraocular pressure.