Self-Medication: Initial Treatments Used by Patients Seen in an Ophthalmologic Emergency Room

Abstract

OJECTIVEThis study seeks to identify practices of self-medication in the treatment of ocular emergencies. We examine patients’ use of both homemade preparations and manufactured products before seeking specialized care.MATERIALS AND METHODSWe conducted a cross-sectional analytic survey of consecutive patients seen in the ophthalmology emergency room of a teaching hospital.RESULTSThe sample included 561 subjects, 51.3% males and 48.7% females, with a mean age of 39.8 years. Prior to seeking emergency care, 40.5% reported self-medicating; 29.4% used a homemade preparation (13.9% referred to an industrialized product like boric acid as a homemade preparation), and 11.1% used a manufactured product. The most frequently used products included a boric acid solution (53.3%), a normal saline solution (35.7%), herbal infusions (6.1%) and breast milk (4.8%). Viral conjunctivitis was the most frequent diagnosis (24.4%), followed by the presence of a corneal foreign body (7.4%). No significant differences were found in the self-treatment of ocular injuries according to gender (p = 0.95), level of education (p = 0.21) or age (p = 0.14). In addition, self-medication practices were not related to the medically judged severity of the condition.CONCLUSIONPatients often attempt to treat conditions that require ophthalmologic emergency care by self-medicating with homemade or manufactured products. The most widely used products include boric acid, normal saline, leaf infusions and breast milk. This behavior occurs independently of educational level, gender, age or the nature of the ocular condition. Self-medication is a culturally driven practice that is used even in cases of acute ocular injuries.

Self-medication complicating pseudo membranous conjunctivitis

“…In a study by Regina et al , it was found that almost 40.5% people self-medicate before seeking specialised care for ocular emergencies 1. The study also noted that this practice of self-medication is independent of one's educational level 1. Similar findings have been reported by Mouhari et al in dermatology, too.…”

“…In yet other populations, tongue therapy (or using one's tongue to clean the patient's eye) has also been practised as a curative measure for a variety of ocular ailments. In a study by Regina et al , it was found that almost 40.5% people self-medicate before seeking specialised care for ocular emergencies 1. The study also noted that this practice of self-medication is independent of one's educational level 1.…”

Appraisal of the practice of ocular self-medication in Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana

“…The study design has the strength of being population-based; however, care should be taken in applying the results as there are socio-cultural variations across the globe. 24 The prevalence of ocular self-medication among inhabitants of the Cape Coast is comparable to that in Ibadan, Nigeria 25 and some three towns of North West Ethiopia 26 indicating that practice is prevalent in comparable proportions across the continent. This phenomenon is reported as the first option approach among some rural African popuation.…”

Post-visit at ophthalmology emergency service: frequency and perception of the doctors on duty and users

“…In a study performed at a university hospital emergency (24) , it was found that 29.4% of the patients use homemade products as the first management for the treatment of ocular diseases. Information about what people know and do regarding ocular problems is an important data for prevention and educational health programs (25) .…”