Validation of a More Reliable Method of Eye Drop Self-Administration

SIGNIFICANCE We propose an alternative method for eye drop self-administration. Similar IOP reductions were found with this method compared with clinician instillation. The alternative method of self-administration potentially benefits patients who have trouble successfully instilling drops. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to validate the efficacy of an alternative method of drop instillation. METHODS This study is a randomized controlled crossover clinical trial. Thirty participants were recruited. A drop of 0.5% timolol maleate was instilled into subject's eye on two separate visits. On one visit, eye drop instillation was by a trained clinician, and on the other, self-instillation using an alternative method was used. The order was randomly chosen. Intraocular pressure was measured before drop instillation and 2 hours after drop instillation. The investigator was masked during measurement, and an observer recorded the IOP measurements. RESULTS Mean +/- SD IOP measurement before 0.5% timolol maleate instillation measured 13.89 +/- 2.29 mmHg. An average reduction 3.75 +/- 2.36 mmHg was found with clinician administration, and an average reduction of 3.32 +/- 2.31 mmHg was recorded with the new method. No significance was found in IOP reduction between two groups P < .45. Percent reduction was 25.17 +/- 16.21% and 24.38 +/- 16.31% in clinician instillation and alternative instillation method group, respectively. No significant difference was found. This percentage reduction was similar to previously reported studies. No reported cases of eye infection or irritation were found in any case, within a 3-month follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS We have proposed a more reliable method for instillation that provides a larger area for instillation and lessen the risk of contamination and patient's fear for eye drops. Similar efficacy was found compared with that of having a clinician directly administer the drop. This alternative method could potentially benefit patients who require topical eye drop therapy and result in increased compliance.