My child just will not let me put the eye drops in!

Chapter 117 My child just will not let me put the eye drops in!



Melanie Hingorani



Introduction


Suboptimal compliance with prescribed medication is widespread in all medical spheres, especially in children. Many parents find it challenging to apply topical medications to a child’s eyes.



Causes of poor compliance




1. Child-related factors. Most people do not enjoy putting medication into the eye. It is uncomfortable and intrusive for a sensitive area. The natural instinct when an object nears the eye is to close it, or turn away. Adults are better able to control this instinct than children. Additional factors affecting a child’s cooperation may include fear, incomprehension of the disease or need for treatment, unpleasant effects of the drops (e.g. stinging, taste of medication), previous poor experience of eye examinations or drops, and issues that affect behavior and cooperation, in general (e.g. autism, learning difficulties).


2. Parental factors. Parents have a natural urge not to upset or hurt their child. Some are squeamish about dealing with eyes. Parents may not understand the nature of the ocular condition, or why the drops are important. There may be concerns about potential side effects. Parents may be anxious about instilling the drops correctly or accidentally touching the eye. Their anxieties may be unwittingly communicated to the child.


3. Practical factors may be important:


a. Busy lives with several children to care for.

b. Other more pressing health concerns.

c. Scheduling issues − how to deliver frequent drops whilst the child attends school or nursery.

d. Poor understanding of the technique for instilling the drops.

e. An element of child neglect.

4. Medication and staff issues. Some medication issues may reduce compliance:


a. Eyedrops are stingy.

b. Complicated or time-consuming regimes.

c. Multiple medications.

d. Medications that are difficult to administer (ointments are more difficult to administer).

5. Clinician factors may contribute:


a. Communication difficulties.

Related posts:

  1. Visual electrophysiology: how it can help you and your patient
  2. My child could see perfectly but now the vision is weak
  3. Strabismus: non-surgical treatment
  4. Retinopathy of prematurity

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Jun 4, 2016 | Posted by in OPHTHALMOLOGY | Comments Off on My child just will not let me put the eye drops in!

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