Use of traditional eye medicine and self-medication in rural India: A population-based study

<div><p>Objective</p><p>To determine the type and nature of traditional eye medicine (TEM), their sources and use and practices related to self-medication for ophthalmic diseases in a rural Indian population.</p><p>Methods</p><p>A population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in 25 randomly selected clusters of Rural Gurgaon, Haryana, India as part of CORE (Cornea Opacity Rural Epidemiological) study. In addition to comprehensive ophthalmic examination, health-seeking behavior and use of self-medication and TEM was assessed in the adult population using a semi-structured questionnaire. Physical verification of available ophthalmic medications in the enumerated households was conducted by the study team. Descriptive statistics were computed along with multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine associated factors for use of self-medication and TEM.</p><p>Results</p><p>Of the 2160 participants interviewed, 396 (18.2%) reported using ophthalmic medications without consulting an ophthalmologist, mainly for symptoms like watering (37.1%), redness (27.7%), itching (19.2%) and infection (13.6%). On physical verification of available eye drops that were being used without prescription, 26.4% participants were practicing self-medication. Steroid, expired/unlabeled and indigenous eye drops were being used by 151(26.5%), 120(21.1%) and 75 (13.2%) participants respectively. Additionally, 25.7% (529) participants resorted to home remedies like <i>‘kajal’(61</i>.<i>4%)</i>, honey (31.4%), ghee (11.7%) and rose water (9.1%).</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>Use of TEM is prevalent in this population. The rampant use of steroid eye drops without prescription along with use of expired or unlabelled eye drops warrants greater emphasis on safe eye care practices in this population. Public awareness and regulatory legislations must be implemented to decrease harmful effects arising due to such practices.</p></div

Association of socio-demographic and clinical factors with use of self-medication in the study population.

<p>Association of socio-demographic and clinical factors with use of self-medication in the study population.</p

Association of socio-demographic and clinical factors with use of traditional eye medicines (TEM) in the study population.

<p>Association of socio-demographic and clinical factors with use of traditional eye medicines (TEM) in the study population.</p

Frequency of cases with quantum of myopia progression after 1 year.

<p>Frequency of cases with quantum of myopia progression after 1 year.</p

Age specific incidence of myopia (n = 8200).

<p>Age specific incidence of myopia (n = 8200).</p

Progression of myopia according to age.

<p>Progression of myopia according to age.</p

Incidence of myopia according to age.

<p>Incidence of myopia according to age.</p

Forest plot showing the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for each behavioral risk factor adjusted for other behavioral risk factors and demographic variables (age, gender, type of school, family history of glasses, mother’s education and socio-economic status).

<p>Forest plot showing the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for each behavioral risk factor adjusted for other behavioral risk factors and demographic variables (age, gender, type of school, family history of glasses, mother’s education and socio-economic status).</p

Distribution of age, gender and type of school with incidence and progression of myopia.

<p>Distribution of age, gender and type of school with incidence and progression of myopia.</p

The mean and range of the hours spent per week in various behavioral risk factors among children with progression.

<p>The mean and range of the hours spent per week in various behavioral risk factors among children with progression.</p