緑内障患者の点眼薬への意識

Patients' awareness of topical medication for glaucoma

目的：緑内障患者の点眼薬についての意識調査。方法：大学病院に通院している開放隅角緑内障患者から無作為に選んだ168名を面接法で調査した。男性42％，女性58％で，年齢は21～84歳（平均61歳）であった。結果：点眼薬剤数は平均2.7種で，点眼回数は平均4.2回であった。緑内障治療の重要な目標が視機能の維持であると82％の患者が答えた。緑内障治療では眼圧下降が重要であると71％の患者が答えた。日常生活に支障を及ぼす副作用がないことが次に挙げられた。使用中の薬剤名は19％の患者が正解した。54％が点眼瓶の蓋の色と形で点眼薬を識別していた。結論：緑内障患者の多くが点眼による眼圧下降の意義を理解し，点眼の副作用で日常生活に支障がないことを重視している。

Purpose：To evaluate the state of awareness regarding eyedrops by patients of open-angle glaucoma. Method：A total of 168 glaucoma patients were interviewed who were randomly chosen out of those attending Saga University Hospital. The series comprised 74 males（42％）and 94 females（58％）. Their ages ranged from 21 to 84 years,average 61 years. Results：They were using an average of 2.7 eyedrops to be instilled 4.7 times per day. Maintenance of visual function was cited as the most important objective in glaucoma therapy by 82％ of patients. Majority of patients stressed control of intraocular pressure（IOP）,to be followed by absence of side effects that might affect the daily life. Names of medicaments currently under use were correctly answered by 19％. Medicaments were identified by the color and/or shape of bottle caps by 54％ of patients. Conclusion：Importance of IOP control was well-understood by majority of glaucoma patients. Absence of side effects was also desired.