EYEDROP INSTILLATION TECHNIQUES AMONG PATIENTS IN OPTOMETRY CLINIC IN UNIVERSITY OF BENIN, BENIN CITY, EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

Eyedrop instillation technique is very important in the success of the treatment. This study also takes us back in time to see how eyedrops came about, how the use of eyedrops and artificial tears progressed and evolved over the years, and also talks about the chemical make up of eyedrops and artificial tears precisely. This study was aimed at accessing and grading the eyedrop instillation technique among patients in the optometry clinic in the university of Benin. In this cross sectional study, all subjects were asked to demonstrate their instillation technique while a video recorder was used for recording and a grading scale was referred to score the technique from -1 to +4. A sum total of 50 participants with 23 males (46.0%) and 27 females (54.0%) with a mean age of 29.6(±6.20) years were involved in the study. Majority of the participants (58.0%) have not received eyedrop education, majority of the participants (88.0%) disposed their eyedrops after expiry and 84.0% of the participants stored their eyedrops in a warm place. Factors that showed significant association with instillation technique in this study were age (p=0.003) and near visual acuity (p=0.028), there was no association between gender, level of education, the preferred instillation position (sitting, standing or supine), prior eye-drop application education and the observed instillation technique (p>0.05). In conclusion, majority of subjects had a poor technique in instilling eye drops, age and near visual acuity had significant association with instillation, prior eye-drop application education had no influence on the observed instillation technique Thus, future research studies should focus on the best methods of eye drops prescription to ensure the effectiveness of topical medications Keywords: Eyedrop, instillation, technique