By Dr. Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO
At this year’s American Academy of Optometry (AAOpt) Meeting, I had the opportunity to share findings from the Preservative Freedom Glaucoma Patient Survey, the nationwide survey conducted by the Preservative Freedom Coalition earlier this year.1,2 This research revealed an urgent need for enhanced patient–physician communication in glaucoma, specifically around preservatives and eye health.1,2
What Patients Are Telling Us and Why It Matters
Only 20% of patients report satisfaction with their current glaucoma treatment
Patients expressed concern about the toxicity of preservatives (60%) and disease progression (39%), indicating there may be an openness to discussing new treatment options
Almost two-thirds (61%) of patients reported they were unaware of preservative-free alternatives for treatment
Despite this, 62% of patients reported they experience symptoms like gritty eyes and discomfort which can often be associated with the use of preservatives
These numbers tell a powerful story: when discomfort and concern lead to poor adherence, it can put disease control at risk. This underscores why education and communication are essential in managing glaucoma effectively.
Continuing the Dialogue in Eye Care
“The findings from our research underscore the importance of communication in eye care. Too many patients—more than 60% in our survey—are unaware of preservative-free treatments, yet many are experiencing discomfort from preservatives.”
We feel this is an important message, one that needs to continue to be told. We were pleased to have our abstract accepted at AAOpt. At the Conference I was joined by fellow Preservative Freedom Coalition Advisory Board member Jacob Lang, OD, to share these results and discuss how clinicians can lead meaningful change in this space. The response from colleagues was encouraging; many expressed a shared commitment to exploring preservative-free options and to having more open conversations with their patients about their treatment options.
As emphasized during the discussions, our role as clinicians extends beyond prescribing medications. It’s about education, advocacy, and ensuring that our patients are fully informed about their options, including preservative-free alternatives.
Join the Movement Toward Preservative Freedom
I encourage all my fellow eye care professionals to make communication and patient education a cornerstone of glaucoma management. Explore whether preservative-free options could be right for your patients and help advance a movement dedicated to improving long-term ocular health.
Say EYE to Preservative Freedom and join the movement.
This article was developed with editorial support by AXON Communications, and funded by Thea Pharma Inc.
About the Author
Dr. Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO is an Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology, at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in the Department of Ophthalmology in Denver, CO, USA and an active member of the Preservative Freedom Coalition Advisory Board. Dr. Koetting is a member of Intrepid, a fellow in the American Academy of Optometry, a diplomate of the American Board of Optometry, an active member of American Optometric Association, and has served as both local and state officer within the American Diabetes Association.
She is passionate about advancing ocular surface health, improving patient outcomes in glaucoma care, and promoting the transition toward preservative-free eye treatments.
References
Koetting C, et al. Patient experience, treatment, and awareness of preservative-free treatment options in USA-based glaucoma patients. Poster presented at: American Academy of Optometry Annual Meeting; Oct 8-11, 2025; Boston, MA, USA: AAOpt Academy. POS-01 Board #139.
Preservative Freedom. Press Release: Survey reveals urgent need for enhanced patient-physician communication in glaucoma. 2025. Available at: https://preservativefreedom.com/blog/press-release-survey-reveals-urgent-need-for-enhanced-patient-physician-communication-in-glaucoma.
PRC-EN-2667-v1 10.2025