Perception about aspects of the disease and its treatment in patients with glaucoma

ABSTRACT Objective: Compare, through structured questionnaires, the knowledge about disease, management of eye drops and adherence to treatment of glaucoma patients disposed in two groups according to educational levels and socioeconomic levels. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out applying structured questionnaires based on an exploratory study to assess the level of Glaucoma patients' knowledge relationated with the disease in two different audiences: the single health system (SUS) and private health plans. The questionnaires were used by doctors residents in Ophthalmology. A sample was composed of 202 patients among which 100 were attended by SUS and the others 102 patients were holders of private health plans. All questionnaires have a free and informed consent form signed by the participant and the responsible researcher. Results: Patients were divided into two groups, consisting of: 100 SUS patients and 102 private health plans. The results revealed that: 58.6% of SUS patients had incomplete elementary schooling and 25.5% of private health insurance patients had some level of higher education; 49% of the SUS group had an income with less than 2 minimum wages while the health insurance group presented 39.4% with more than 4 minimum wages (p