The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7246 p566
26 April 2003

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MeReC Bulletin (more)

Remind patients with glaucoma of importance of using eye-drops

Patients with primary open angle glaucoma need to understand the importance of using their eye-drops regularly, the latest MeReC Bulletin says (2003;13:17).

The bulletin reviews treatment of this condition and explores ways of encouraging patients to use their eye-drops correctly. It points out that, because glaucoma has no obvious symptoms, it can be difficult to persuade patients to use eye-drops regularly, especially if they experience side effects.

The bulletin provides a list of practical tips that might help patients and suggests ways in which compliance problems might be overcome. For example, it suggests once-daily preparations for patients who have difficulty remembering to use their eye-drops, and combination preparations for patients who have difficulty using more than one drug or who find it hard to distinguish between eye-drop bottles.

A copy of the bulletin is included with this week’s issue of The Journal sent to all pharmacists in England.

It can also be downloaded from the National Prescribing Centre website or via the NHSnet (nww.npc.ppa.nhs.uk).