The effects of self-video feedback on the eyedrop instillation techniques of glaucoma patients: a prospective randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Abstract Background To evaluate the effectiveness of instillation technique education using self-video feedback in glaucoma patients. Methods Sixty-two patients who self-instilled glaucoma eye drops were randomly assigned to the self-video feedback and control groups according to the block randomization. Each group of the patient was asked to instill eye drops, and videos were recorded. For the control group, only an educational video was provided. In the self-video feedback group, the patients provided educational video and feedback using a recorded video of their own instillation. After one month of education, the patient's instillation techniques were video-recorded again. We divided the steps of instilling eyedrops into 10 steps and evaluated whether each step was properly performed using the recorded images from each patient. The main outcome was the proportion of patients who were properly instilled in each step. Results Before education, there was no significant difference in the proportion of patients who were properly instilled between the two groups. In the group that received video feedback, the proportion of patients who instilled the eye drops correctly after education in some items was significantly higher than that of the control group, and in particular, the educational effect of 'avoids touching dropper to eyelid or eyelash' was superior. Conclusions In patients with glaucoma, education on the method of instillation was effective in improving the techniques of instillation. In the items that required accurate actions, the video feedback that allowed the patient to observe themselves had a better improvement effect compared to the traditional education method. Trial registration number: KCT0008090 (09/01/2023, retrospectively registered)