Retrospective study of compliance and persistence of topical ophthalmic medications prescribed to dogs at a veterinary teaching hospital

Objective To evaluate compliance and persistence of topical ophthalmic medications prescribed to dogs. Methods Retrospective review of medical records from dogs examined by the Ophthalmology Service at Kansas State University from April 2022 through July 2024, prescribed at least 1 topical ophthalmic medication, and returned for 1 recheck examination. Medication compliance and persistence (MCP) was reported by clients and evaluated at the client level and individual drug level. A general linear model and χ² tests were used to analyze variables. Results Overall, 273 of 381 (72%) of clients administered all medications as prescribed and 496 of 592 (79%) individual medications were given as prescribed. Factors significantly associated with MCP included appointment type (P =.002), medication frequency (P =.006), recheck interval (P =.002), and recheck compliance (P =.002). Patients presented to other services had reduced odds of MCP when compared to appointments directly with the Ophthalmology Service (OR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.08 to 0.57). Odds of MCP were lower with a recheck interval > 30 days (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.15 to 0.62) and a prescribed frequency > 4 times daily (OR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.12 to 0.61). Immunomodulatory and glaucoma drugs had a significantly higher MCP rate (92% P =.02 and 89% P =.04, respectively), while lubricants had a lower MCP rate (70% P =.04). Depletion of medication supply was the most common reason for non-MCP. Conclusions Type, frequency, and access to medication, appointment type, and recheck factors influenced MCP in this population. Clinical Relevance Shorter recheck intervals and providing an adequate supply of medication may improve MCP of topical ophthalmic medications prescribed to dogs.