Clinical Report: SEE Program Strengthens Adherence
Overview
The Support, Educate, Empower (SEE) program significantly improved medication adherence and reduced glaucoma-related distress compared to standard education. A randomized clinical trial demonstrated that participants in the SEE program had a mean adherence of 78%, with over half achieving at least 80% adherence.
Background
Medication adherence is a critical factor in managing glaucoma, as poor adherence can lead to disease progression and increased healthcare costs. Traditional education methods often fail to engage patients effectively. The SEE program utilizes motivational interviewing and personalized coaching to enhance adherence and reduce distress associated with glaucoma management.
Data Highlights
Group
Mean Adherence (%)
Achieved ≥80% Adherence (%)
SEE Program
78
55
Control Group
58
24
Key Findings
The SEE program improved electronically monitored adherence from 64% at baseline to 78% at 6 months.
55% of SEE participants achieved at least 80% adherence compared to 24% in the control group.
The intervention led to a significant reduction in glaucoma-related distress, particularly in emotional burden and regimen-related distress.
Improvements in adherence exceeded the prespecified minimally important clinical difference.
The program's design allows for scalability and personalization, enhancing its effectiveness compared to traditional methods.
Clinical Implications
Healthcare providers should consider implementing structured, motivational interviewing-based programs like SEE to improve medication adherence in glaucoma patients. Such interventions can also alleviate distress, potentially leading to better overall patient outcomes.
Conclusion
The SEE program demonstrates that personalized coaching and education can significantly enhance medication adherence and reduce distress in glaucoma patients. Future studies should evaluate its long-term impact on clinical outcomes.
This week's research makes one thing clear: who someone is before they get sick — their relationships, their partner's health, the back of their eye — is doing a lot of work medicine is only beginning to account for.
Neda Gioia, OD, CNS, FMCP, FOWNS, reviewed how levels of individual hormones and the balance between them help regulate tear production, inflammation, wound healing, lipid secretion, intraocular pressure (IOP), and neuroprotection, and therefore can result in a higher burden of dry eye, glaucoma, or retinal disease in women.
Analysis of more than 61,000 patients found higher odds of elevated loneliness scores among those reporting blindness and those with diabetic retinopathy, but not among patients with glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration.
