Learn more about Glaucoma Therapy with Dr. Jim Thimons!

In our recent webinar titled “Patient Compliance: The Ultimate Goal in Glaucoma Therapy” by Dr. Jim Thimons, we learned how to create improved outcomes for patients with poor adherence to glaucoma medications.

Some of the takeaway points were:

Poor adherence is a predictor for vision loss in glaucoma. The good news is it is often a modifiable risk factor, unlike many other risk factors of glaucoma.

Potential barriers to adherence include:

·       Not understanding the implications of glaucoma

·       Limited understanding of the benefit of glaucoma therapy

·       Experiencing cost, comfort, or other burdens related to glaucoma treatment

·       Not instilling drops properly

·       Having limited resources or support

In order to understand if a patient is truly adherent to their glaucoma medications, take this approach:

1. Ask open ended questions, such as “Tell me how you’ve been taking your medications?

2. Create a non-judgmental environment. Explain that taking medications can be difficult and that difficulty is universal.

3. Enlist the patient as an active participant in their care.

4. LAST, ask about forgetting or missing medications.

Check out the Past Events section in WooU.org to watch the full 50 minutes of the event, and discover all the details on caring for our patients with glaucoma.