Preservative Freedom Glaucoma Patient Experience Survey
The Preservative Freedom Coalition (PFC) conducted the Glaucoma Patient Experience survey to gather insights from adults 18 years or older living with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. The aim of the survey was to understand their experience, treatment histories and awareness of preservative-free treatment options.
Key Findings
The survey highlighted the urgent need for improved patient-physician dialogue to preserve eye health for glaucoma patients, particularly around the use of preservatives throughout their treatment journey.
Only 20% of respondents reported satisfaction and stability with their treatment, indicating there is opportunity better understand the treatment experience of glaucoma patients
Most respondents (62%) experience uncomfortable symptoms at least some of the time during their week, including gritty eyes (29%), painful or sore eyes (25%), discomfort administering drops (23%), and/or burning or stinging outside of administering drops (23%)
Side effects were a cause for one third (33%) of respondents to stop, skip, or request a change in their prescriptions due to adverse events, leaving them at potential risk of complications or progression of their condition
More than half of respondents (60%) were concerned about the potential complications from the toxicity of preservatives in topical eye treatment
Awareness of preservative-free options is lacking — most respondents (61%) were not aware of preservative-free treatments, despite having experiences that may indicate a potential benefit for their use
Patients trust their eye doctors with 82% of respondents noting complete (~46%) or significant (~37%) trust in their physicians to make the best decisions for their treatment plans
Conversation around preservative-free options is critical — nearly half of respondents (49%) who do not currently use preservative-free treatments lacked recommendations or mentions from their doctor, indicating a need for broader discussion
About the Glaucoma Patient Experience Survey
The data was collected via an online survey between November 21, 2024, and January 5, 2025, with respondents recruited from an online survey panel via a primary research recruitment agency (Cashew Research) and through The Glaucoma Foundation mailing list. The survey consisted of 23 questions and took approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. Questions were presented as single selection, multiple choice Likert scale open field responses.
A total of 558 responses were received from individuals diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension, across the five regions of the United States (West 19%, Northeast 25%, Southeast 25%, Midwest 18%, Southwest 13%).
More than half of respondents had been living with their condition for 7 years or more, with the majority (>75%) indicating early/mild or moderate conditions as described by their physician. There was a relative split between male (46.4%) and female (53.4%) respondents, with the majority 65 or above (57.5%).
About the Preservative Freedom Coalition
The Preservative Freedom campaign is led by a Coalition of leaders in eye health and care in the United States. The founding members of the coalition include Dry Eye University, The Glaucoma Foundation, Intrepid Eye Society, the National Medical Association of Ophthalmology Section, Real World Ophthalmology, and Thea Pharma Inc. Together, the group focuses on raising awareness of unmet needs in ocular surface disease and the potential benefit that preservative-free approaches can provide for patients.
Our mission is to bring the importance of preservative-free treatments into focus and encourage patient-centered discussion that inspires a change in habits that prioritizes future eye health.
We focus on three pillars to drive meaningful change:
Awareness: Jointly educating on the benefits of preservative-free medications, where possible, to healthcare professionals, patients, and the broader healthcare community, with the goal of increasing awareness of the need to protect the ocular surface
Availability: Collaborating to help ensure that preservative-free medications are widely available to patients by identifying and addressing barriers to distribution and promoting fair and equitable access
Advocacy: Advocating for policies supporting a future that puts preservative-free first, where possible, with the aim of creating a more favourable regulatory and reimbursement environment
For more information and to join the movement, visit www.preservativefreedom.com
PRC-EN-2372-v1 02.2025