Eyedrop Compliance and Literacy-Related Adherence Barriers After Cataract Surgery in Koforidua, Ghana.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate compliance with post-operative eye drops following cataract surgery among a rural Ghanaian population.

Patients and methods: This cross-sectional, single-site survey is a study of patients undergoing cataract surgery at the Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua, Ghana during October 2022. A survey was administered 1 week post cataract surgery to assess literacy level, eye drop adherence, instillation technique, eye drop frequency, and perceived understanding of post-operative instructions.

Results: There were 59 patients included in the analysis. Fifty-nine (100%) patients believed they administered the eye drops at the correct time and the correct method outlined by their doctor. Fifty-six (94.9%) patients noted the tip of the drop container never touched their eye, 2 (3.38%) noted it did more than twice and 1(1.69%) noted it did once or twice. Forty-five (76.3%) patients never forgot to wash their hands prior to eye drop administration, 6 (10.15%) patients noted they did not more than twice, and 7 (11.9%) did not once or twice. There was a statistically significant different in patients forgetting to administer eyedrops (p=0.018) and forgetting to wash hands prior to eye drop instillation (p=0.0005) among patients with different literacy levels.

Conclusion: Although all patients perceived their method of eye drop administration to be correct, some had forgotten to wash hands prior to eye drop use and had the tip of the eye drop container touch their eye. Patient education regarding eyedrop administration can be beneficial in improving eyedrop technique and adherence. The self-reported data utilized for the study serves as a limitation. Further investigation includes supplementing subjective, self-reported data with objective observations of patients.