Active surveillance of sodium hyaluronate 0.4% eyedrop: patient knowledge, adherence, and safety findings in real-world use

Objective :This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between patient knowledge, educational level, and treatment adherence to sodium hyaluronate 0.4% eyedrops, while also identifying reported adverse events (AEs) in a real-world, post-authorization setting. Methods :A prospective, single-center, observational study was conducted with patients receiving sodium hyaluronate 0.4%. An initial in-person visit was followed by three follow-up phone calls (days 5, 15, and 30) to identify AEs and complete two questionnaires: the 8-item Morisky Green Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) and the patient's knowledge of the study product. Results :Among 261 enrolled participants, 235 completed follow-ups. A clear association was found between product knowledge, educational level, and treatment adherence. Participants with higher education scored better on the knowledge survey and showed greater adherence. Less than 3% of the participants experienced AEs. The most frequently preferred term (PT) was eye irritation, with most AEs classified as mild and non-serious (88%). Conclusions :Health literacy emerged as a key determinant of adherence to 0.4% sodium hyaluronate eye drops, strongly linked to education and product knowledge. The study emphasizes the importance of patient education and active surveillance in optimizing adherence and ensuring the safe use of self-administered ophthalmic therapies.