Précis: Glaucoma patients implanted with the suprachoroidal telemetric intraocular pressure sensor EyeMate-SC demonstrate sustained high acceptance and strong adherence to self-monitoring over 3 years, without compromised vision-related quality of life. Purpose: Continuous telemetric intraocular pressure (IOP) monitoring offers the potential to improve glaucoma management, yet long-term patient acceptance and adherence remain uncertain. We evaluated 3-year patient acceptability, self-monitoring adherence, and vision-related quality of life following implantation of a suprachoroidal telemetric IOP sensor. Methods: Twenty-four patients implanted with the EyeMate-SC were scheduled to complete the Telemetric Sensor Acceptance Questionnaire (TSAQ) and the NEI-VFQ-25. TSAQ responses were recorded on a 7-point Likert scale (1=complete disagreement and 7=complete agreement). Results: Twenty-one patients completed the TSAQ after 1 year (D360) and 16 after 3 years (D1080). Most would seriously consider using the sensor at home (D360: 6.6±0.6; D1080: 6.9±0.5), at work (6.1±1.1; 5.5±2.3), and while traveling (6.2±1.3; 6.4±1.0). Sensor-related problems (2.0±1.7; 1.7±1.4), subjective visual field impairment (1.6±1.4; 1.2±0.6), and foreign body sensation (1.8±1.7; 1.5±1.0) were rare. Daily routine was rarely disrupted (1.4±0.8; 1.5±1.1). Sensor use reduced anxiety about unnoticed IOP peaks in most patients (6.4±1.4; 6.5±1.1). Home monitoring variedly increased motivation to take medication (4.6±2.8; 4.3±2.6). Willingness to recommend the device was nearly unanimous (6.7±0.5; 6.6±0.6). Twenty-three patients completed the NEI-VFQ-25 at baseline, 21 at D360, and 16 at D1080. Overall, there was no significant time course (Baseline: 79.0±12.7; D360: 78.9±10.7; D1080: 77.1±10.9, p =0.7). Conclusions: The sensor was well accepted, with sustained adherence to IOP self-monitoring and stable vision-related quality of life over 3 years. This highlights the importance of patient engagement for the successful implementation of telemetric IOP self-monitoring in clinical practice.
Englisch et al. (Mon,) studied this question.