Journal of Current Glaucoma Practice

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VOLUME 11 , ISSUE 3 ( September-December, 2017 ) > List of Articles

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Glaucoma Medication Preferences among Glaucoma Specialists in Mexico

Rafael Castaneda-Diez, Gabriel Lazcano-Gómez, Roberto Gonzalez-Salinas, Jesus Jimenez-Roman, Daniela Alvarez-Ascencio, Cindy Haro-Zuno, Mauricio Turati-Acosta, Magdalena Garcia-Huerta, Jesus Jimenez-Arroyo, Armando Castillejos-Chevez, Francisca Dominguez-Dueñas

Citation Information : Castaneda-Diez R, Lazcano-Gómez G, Gonzalez-Salinas R, Jimenez-Roman J, Alvarez-Ascencio D, Haro-Zuno C, Turati-Acosta M, Garcia-Huerta M, Jimenez-Arroyo J, Castillejos-Chevez A, Dominguez-Dueñas F. Glaucoma Medication Preferences among Glaucoma Specialists in Mexico. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2017; 11 (3):97-100.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10028-1232

License: CC BY 3.0

Published Online: 01-07-2015

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2017; The Author(s).


Abstract

Aim

To determine the glaucoma specialists' preferences for the different brands of topical glaucoma medications available in Mexico.

Materials and methods

A web-based survey was sent to 150 board-certified glaucoma specialists in Mexico, with 14 questions related to brand preferences for all glaucoma medications available in Mexico. Participants were asked to select each glaucoma medication class by brand and to state the factors leading to their choice.

Results

Data from 111 (74%) glaucoma specialists were collected. Imot (timolol 0.5%; Sophia, Mexico) was the preferred brand for the beta-blockers (BB) class by 71% (n = 79) of the participants. Azopt (brinzolamide 1%; Alcon Lab, US) was the preferred carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (CAI) by 54% (n = 60) of the glaucoma specialists. Lumigan (bimatoprost 0.01% and 0.03%; Allergan Inc., U.S.) was the first choice for the prostaglandin analogues (PGAs) in 62% (n = 70) of the answers. The most frequently prescribed alpha-agonist (AA) was Agglad (brimonidine 0.2%; Sophia Lab, Mexico) in 44% (n = 49) of the answers. Medication accessibility (31%), cost (29%), and recommended dose (23%) were the three main factors influencing the glaucoma specialists' preferences.

Conclusion

Medication cost and accessibility, as well as posology, remain the main factors influencing brand preferences among glaucoma doctors. In our professional opinion, the therapeutic effect must be the leading factor when prescribing topical medications in the daily practice, so that patients receive the best treatment option.

Clinical significance

This survey provides an understanding of the decision-making process when prescribing glaucoma medications by glaucoma specialists in a Latin American developing country. Ideally, patient treatment should be individualized and aimed to achieve the best results possible for their specific condition.

How to cite this article

Lazcano-Gomez G, Alvarez-Ascencio D, Haro-Zuno C, Turati-Acosta M, Garcia-Huerta M, Jimenez-Arroyo J, Castañeda-Diez R, Castillejos-Chevez A, Gonzalez-Salinas R, Dominguez-Dueñas F, Jimenez-Roman J. Glaucoma Medication Preferences among Glaucoma Specialists in Mexico. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2017;11(3):97-100.


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