Bausch + Lomb and Glaucoma Research Foundation
(GRF), a national non-profit organization with the vision of curing glaucoma,
today released, during Glaucoma Awareness Month, new key findings from a survey
of glaucoma patients that was designed to gain a greater understanding of the
impact that hyperemia can have in the treatment and lives of people living with
glaucoma. In the United States, glaucoma is one of the leading causes of
preventable blindness in individuals over 60, affecting approximately 3 million
people.
For people with glaucoma, adherence to a treatment regimen is critical
for managing their condition and controlling intraocular pressure. Certain
treatments for glaucoma can result in hyperemia of the eye due to an increase
in blood flow in vessels at the surface of the eye, resulting in red eyes.
Patient’s concern about and dissatisfaction with side effects are among the
primary reason for non-adherence and discontinuation. With hyperemia as the
most common documented side effect, some glaucoma patients stop or skip
medication as a result, which may have implications for long-term treatment and
patient eye health.
“Bausch + Lomb is
proud to collaborate with Glaucoma Research Foundation to raise awareness of
hyperemia and how it may have an impact on the lives of patients with
glaucoma,” said Joe Gordon, U.S. president, Bausch + Lomb. “The survey results
demonstrated that the emotional cost of hyperemia is high, with 71% of
participants feeling self-conscious and 55% feeling embarrassed about their red
eyes. It is our hope that by raising awareness of this issue, we can help
facilitate discussions among patients and their eye care professionals about
their options and the importance of adhering to their treatment regimen.”
The survey included 101 adults, 18 years
and older in the United States, who have glaucoma and have experienced
hyperemia as a result of their treatment. The survey found that few glaucoma
patients know about hyperemia when starting treatment for glaucoma, with 61%
reporting that they only became aware of the condition after experiencing it
themselves.
Additionally, nearly half (43 out of
101) of the respondents reported talking to their doctors about changing their
glaucoma treatment as a result of hyperemia, and 12 out of 101 either skipped
doses or stopped using their prescription eye drops. Approximately 66 out of
101 participants reported feeling more confident when their eyes were not red,
and respondents also indicated that there was some social stigma associated
with having red eyes. In fact, one in 10 patients stopped their treatment in
certain social or professional circumstances and 41 out of 101 noted concerns
about experiencing negative social interactions as a result.
“These findings build upon earlier
evidence that hyperemia presents a challenge to people with glaucoma and sheds
light on how the condition may not only impact how they treat their glaucoma,
but how they live their lives,” said Andrew Iwach, M.D., board chair, Glaucoma
Research Foundation, and executive director, Glaucoma Center of San Francisco.
“The results reinforce the importance for eye care professionals to have an
open dialogue with their patients about the available treatment options and any
concerns that they may have. This can help patients to feel confident about
managing their glaucoma and demonstrate the importance of taking control of
their eye health by maintaining the appropriate treatment regimen.”
Click HERE for the full press release.
