Effects of Health-Seeking Behavior on Compliance of Long-Term Treatment Among Glaucoma Patients

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to determine the level of non-compliance with long-term glaucoma therapy in patients presenting in glaucoma department of Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital and to identify the health-seeking predictors affecting it. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 5 months was conducted on glaucoma patients who are taking follow-up visits in glaucoma department for 6 months or more. The level of compliance with glaucoma medication (dependent variable) was assessed through a scale at first and further transformed into binary variable afterward. Chi-square test of independence was used followed by logistic regression to find out the predictors of compliance. Results: A total of 200 patients participated in the study. Majority of them were from urban background (n=125, 62.5%) and were diagnosed with glaucoma 1–5 years (n=104, 52%) back. Almost 16.00% of patients were not giving follow-up on given appointment. Moreover, 10.00% were not taking proper medications and prescribed dosage of medications was not taken by 21.5%. Intraocular pressure was higher than normal limits in 13.00%. Self-medication (χ2 (df) =5.44(1), 0.01, OR=0.28 (0.09–0.81) and doctor-patient communication (χ2(df)=18.25(1), 0.03, OR= 2.27 (1.06– 4.86) were significant health-seeking predictors of glaucoma treatment compliance. Conclusion: Blindness due to glaucoma is an avoidable condition if underlying factors such as self-medication is discouraged and doctor-patient communication can be improved in the glaucoma department.