Effect of audible and visual reminders on adherence in glaucoma patients using a commercially available dosing aid

We studied the effects of audible and visual alarms on adherence with a recommended dosing regimen in the management of glaucoma. Forty-two patients were begun on therapy with the Travatan(®) Dosing Aid (TDA) and randomly divided into two observation groups – one with visual and audible alarm functions turned on and the other with alarms off. Dosing information was analyzed for mean rates of adherence, missed days, and dosing at the wrong time. Twenty patients were randomized to the TDA alarm on group and 22 to the alarm off group. The rates of adherence were 87.9% and 79.7% (p = 0.02), rates of missed dosing were 7.6% and 14.4% (p = 0.03), and rates of dosing at the incorrect times were 7.1% and 9.8% (p = 0.19), respectively for alarm on versus alarm off groups. In the alarm on group, the adherence rate was significantly higher and proportion of missed dosing was significantly lower. It is still yet to be determined whether there is a relationship between adherence and progression of glaucoma.