Information booklet for eye drop use
Reviewed by Fiona Rowe

On the basis that children may be more at ease and experience less discomfort and anxiety if provided with some control and choices, the authors developed an eye drop booklet in collaboration with children. This study describes the amount of distress reported by children and investigates the value of implementing the eye drop booklet. They consulted with 70 children to develop the booklet. A total of 396 children were recruited to the evaluation study aged 4-12 years. In group 1, 52% received the booklet and group 2 (48%) had no booklet. A scale of 0-10 was used to rate distress. Sixty-seven percent had experience of prior eye drops. Experience and age / sex were similar in both groups. Distress scores were not different between groups. Parental feedback on the booklet was that this was a good idea (46%), good preparation and gives the child more control (45%), positive effect on child (69%) and want to use again in the future (83%). There was a significant difference in distress scores across ages indicating levels depend in part on age with the peak from seven to nine years. The booklet had some effect but not enough to fully reduce distress.

The impact of an eye drop booklet on distress in children when receiving eye drops.
Pilon F, Veen H, Kef S, von Gendereu MM.
STRABISMUS
2020;29(2):67-72.