Patient satisfaction with glaucoma therapy: reality or myth?

While safe and effective treatments for glaucoma exist, their effectiveness is compromised by poor compliance. Patients who have problems with their topical glaucoma medication are acknowledged to be at higher risk for poor compliance, frequent medication switching, and surgery. Patient satisfaction with therapy and its associated benefits have until recently taken second place to efficacy.

Baerveldt implant for secondary glaucoma due to iris melanoma.

Background: Proton beam therapy (PBT) is effective in the treatment of iris melanoma. Reported complications after PBT are radiation-induced cataract and raised intraocular pressure (IOP). Filtering glaucoma surgery has generally been avoided because of fears of seeding.

Prevalence and determinants of non-adherence to topical hypotensive treatment in Dutch glaucoma patients.

Background: To assess the prevalence and determinants of non-adherence to topical hypotensive treatment in glaucoma patients in order to support interventions targeting enhancement of patient adherence.

Methods: One-hundred and sixty-six glaucoma patients, recruited by nationwide multi-stage sampling, filled in an extensive and carefully developed questionnaire covering various theoretically relevant determinants of patient adherence which were categorized as psychosocial aspects, barriers and skills.

Results: Prevalence of self-reported non-adherence was 27.

Patient ignorance is the main reason for treatment delay in primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in The Netherlands.

Aims: Treatment delay of progressive vision-threatening conditions should be minimal. In this study, the treatment delay of patients with a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) undergoing retinal detachment surgery was quantified, and causes for this delay were evaluated.

Materials And Methods: Consecutive patients (n=205) presenting with a primary RRD between June 2006 and June 2007 at the tertiary referral center (TRC) were interviewed.

Will improvement of knowledge lead to improvement of compliance with glaucoma medication?

Purpose: To identify specific items on knowledge and need for information that could be used to improve compliance with glaucoma medication.

Methods: Forty-four randomly selected ophthalmologists assigned 166 consecutive glaucoma patients to complete a questionnaire. The questionnaire was developed systematically based on focus group interviews, consultation of experts and a pilot test.

Socioeconomic differences in glaucoma patients' knowledge, need for information and expectations of treatments.

Purpose: To study the specific items for which socioeconomic differences in glaucoma patients' knowledge, need for information and expectations of treatments exist, with the aim of developing a patient education programme.

Methods: A total of 44 randomly selected ophthalmologists assigned 166 consecutive outpatient glaucoma patients to complete a questionnaire that had been systematically developed based on focus group interviews, suggestions from several experts and a pilot test. Topics included knowledge about glaucoma and its treatment, need for information and expectations of treatment.

Knowledge base and preferred methods of obtaining knowledge of glaucoma patients.

Purpose: To gather information regarding patient's understanding of glaucoma and the manner in which patients wish to learn about the disease with the intent of improving patient education.

Methods: Forty-four of sixty randomly selected ophthalmologists (73%) asked four of their patients consecutively to complete a questionnaire about glaucoma. The selection of questions was based on focus group interviews and suggestions from several experts.

Exogenous interleukin-16 inhibits antigen-induced airway hyper-reactivity, eosinophilia and Th2-type cytokine production in mice.

Background: IL-16 has been described as a natural soluble CD4-ligand with immunosuppressive effects in vitro. However, little is known about the effect of IL-16 on immune responses in vivo.

Objective: In the present study, we examined the effect of IL-16 administration in a murine model of allergic asthma.

[Dentist and disability: a matter of occupational disease?].

The incidence of and background to disability claims by dentists relating to 1999 are presented on the basis of data from Movir insurance company. Possible cases of occupational related disease are indicated. Claims resulting in more than 2 weeks sick leave have been received from almost 7% of the insured dentists (excluding pregnancy related sick leave).