Impact Of Eye Drop Glasses On Elderly People With Needs For Home Care Services: Ophthalmic Outcomes, Sustainability And Independence

This study aims to assess the effects of introducing eye drop glasses among elderly people who previously were reliant on home care services for eye drop administration. In this study, we will investigate 1) the autonomy and independence among elderly people with the use of the eye drop glasses, 2) evaluate the ophthalmic outcomes, for example visual acuity and intraocular pressure, as well as the evaluation of 3) sustainability in the consumption of eye drop bottles and assess.

The study focuses on elderly residents of a Dutch city (i.e. Almere) receiving home care for eye drop administration. Patients are regularly seen at the Ophthalmology Department of our local hospital (Flevo Hospital). Home care services utilize district nursing to administer eye drops to people who are unable to do this themselves. Eye drop glasses will be introduced to facilitate eye drop administration. Pharmacies will supply both the eye drops and the eye drop glasses.

A prospective interventional study will be conducted over a 6-months period. Elderly people who meet the inclusion criteria will be recruited through home care services. The intervention involves the use of eye drop glasses. Standard care involves self-administration, assistance from family members, or home care services. Patients independence will be measured with the validated Dutch questionnaire PAM-13 NL at baseline and after two and six months use of the eye drop glasses. Ophthalmic outcomes will be monitored for any changes since the last appointment. Sustainability will be evaluated by comparing the number of new eye drop refills obtained from the pharmacy before and after introducing the eye drop glasses.

A total of approximately 150 elderly people will be invited for the eye drop glasses study in Almere. The results for this study will show us 1) whether the implementation of the eye drop glasses contributes to enhanced independence and autonomy among patients. 2) Whether the use of the eye drop glasses impact on ophthalmic outcomes. Treatment changes will be determined as positive or negative alterations. 3) If the utilization of the eye drop glasses is more sustainable, then we should be able to measure a decrease in the frequency of acquiring new eye drop bottles at the pharmacy. 

The introduction of eye-drop glasses could potentially improve ophthalmic outcomes and enhance patients independence in Almere. This study will provide valuable real-world insights into the feasibility and benefits of this intervention.