Glaucoma treatment cost as seen by patients

The chronic nature of the glaucomatous process requires long years of observation and treatment. The quality of treatment depends on the doctor who determines the tactics and methods of treatment, as well as on the patient who follows or doesn’t follow the doctor’s instructions. The study objective was to evaluate patients’ attitude to the required treatment and its cost. To do this, an anonymous survey of glaucoma patients was conducted in a number of regions of the Russian Federation. The questionnaire consisted of 7 questions and several answer options for each of them. In total, 1877 questionnaires from 35 regions of the country were processed. The survey results show that for glaucoma patients vision preservation is the priority of the treatment. Patients believe that medical treatment should be aimed at effective intraocular pressure reduction with as few side effects of used drugs as possible. The price of IOP-lowering drops of 500 rubles is affordable for the majority of respondents (76 %). However, the total price of complex glaucoma treatment drew mixed reaction from the survey participants.

preservation of view, the cost of treatment, compliance