Patients commonly attempt to treat conditions that require ophthalmologic care by self-medicating with over-the-counter eye drops. Educational efforts to inform patients of the consequences of self-medication are necessary.

No abstract

Background: A broad spectrum of ocular symptoms are treated by self-medication with commercial eye-drops. This behavior threatens individuals' visual health. In Latin America, evidence is poor. Objective: To detect, characterize and compare patterns of ophthalmic self-medication between Córdoba (Argentina) and Barranquilla (Colombia).