A cross-sectional study of the actual use of eye drops in a Saudi community

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the actual use of eye drops with respect to their administration, storage, and disposal in a community in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional observational survey was conducted online. All the relevant data were collected using a standardized questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of three sections: demographic characteristics of the participants, attitude of participants with respect to the administration and storage of eye drops, and the participants' understanding of the role of pharmacist in enhancing patients' compliance with eye drop regimens. Results: A total of 720 participants were included in the study, viz, 229 males (31.8 %) and 491 females (68.2 %). Majority of the participants (82.5 %) indicated that they avoided touching their eyes with the bottle tip. Likewise, most participants (90.8 %) reported that they applied eye ointment after administering eye drops while 30.6 % allowed an interval of < 5 min between eye drop and ointment administration. However, 30.5 % of the participants gave an interval of 5-10 min between eye drop and ointment treatment. Furthermore, 32.5 % reported that they consistently washed their hands before administering eye drops, while only 29.6 % occasionally washed their hands. Conclusion: These results indicate that all the patients used eye drops improperly at some point in time, and thus, there is a need for counselling on the appropriate use of eye drops as an essential step towards successful treatment.

A cross-sectional study on the proper administration of eye medications and its determinants among outpatients attending Brhan Aini Ophthalmic National Referral Hospital in Asmara, Eritrea

“…Thus, patients should be properly counselled about the duration of treatment and the exact expiry date of their medications to mitigate the risks associated with contamination. This finding was consistent with a study conducted by Abdulsalam Alfawzan et al , in which 41.7% of the participants continued to use their eye medication after 1 month and almost all of them discarded it in regular garbage 13. Female sex, the absence of glaucoma and the presence of cataract were significant determinants of the proper administration technique of eye medications.…”

“…A structured and interview-based questionnaire (online supplemental file 1) was developed based on a review of questionnaires in similar studies 10 13 14. Initially, the questionnaire was prepared in English, translated into the local language (Tigrigna) and then translated back to English to ensure consistency.…”

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Toward Self-Medicating Eye Symptoms in Saudi Arabia

“…Moreover, most participants reported that pharmacists and ophthalmologists were more interested in discussing medication dose and duration rather than the method of application, storage guidelines, and side effects. This observation is comparable to a study done by Alfawzan et al 18 Healthcare providers are required to give proper instructions on drug dose, duration, as well as eye drop instillation techniques as improper drug application may lead to contamination and noncompliance. Incorrect storage may also lead to a change in the chemical properties of the medication, consequently resulting in a loss of efficacy.…”

“…Although many rooms are equipped with air conditioning; medications can still be affected by hot weather. 17 , 18 In our population, most of the participants were young with no comorbidities. The quality of eye drop instillation and storage techniques may be lower in older patients, patients with severe visual field defects, poorly educated patients, and patients with comorbidities such as arthritis.…”

Enhancing the Technique of Eye Drop Administration through Evaluation and Education: A Quality Improvement Initiative

“…The eye is a complicated organ with distinctive anatomy and physiology, hence optical drug delivery is one of the most fascinating and taxing ventures faced by healthcare professionals. 1 Contrary to oral medication, the patients have to use a proper technique for the successful administration of topical medication. It is expected that topical medication is used to affect a certain part of the eye but sometimes it also causes harmful systemic effects.…”