Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG) is an important cause of blindness worldwide. This paper aimed to investigate: (a) the presence and type of stress; (b) the relationship between the number of eye-drops and stress; (c) perceptions regarding glaucoma and its treatment. In a transversal and quantitative study, we assessed 102 patients from the Ophthalmology Clinic of the HC-FMUSP by means of a thematic interview and the Lipp's Stress Symptoms Inventory (LSSI). Most of the patients were stressed (65,7%) and there was no correlation between stress and the number of eye-drops. "Time of treatment", "difficulties in daily life" and "difficulties to instillate the drops" were independently associated with stress. In conclusion, stress can negatively interfere in coping with POAG.
stress; hospital psychology; glaucoma; adherence to treatment
