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

Alessa, Dalal; AlHuthail, Reem Rashed; Mahfud, Shahd Abdullah Al; Alshngeetee, Ayshah; Alruwaili, Shahad; Khalaf, Ahmad Mamoun; Almutlq, Malak Mohammed

doi:10.2147/opth.s352964

Cited by 5 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Other major reasons for self-medication include financial constraints, desire for quick relief, experience from previous ocular illness, advice from family and friends, and poor knowledge of the hazards of self-medication. 13 In a study conducted by Adimassu et al 9 in Northeast Ethiopia, absence of health insurance was associated with a fourfold risk for the practice of self-medication. In Ghana, Kyei et al 10 documented similar findings, as they reported a significant association between self-medication and health insurance with noninsured persons being more likely to self-medicate than persons with health insurance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Case Series: Avoidable Blindness after Inappropriate Ophthalmic Self-medication in Ghana

Aboagye-MacCarthy

Abraham²

2022

Optom Vis Sci

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SIGNIFICANCEInappropriate ophthalmic self-medication continues to plague Sub-Saharan Africa because of lack of public health education and inaccessibility to eye care services. This case series describes three cases of blindness (two monocular, one binocular) in Ghana, because of self-treatment of ocular conditions using improper drugs or homemade herbal mixtures. The article highlights the consequences of misinterpretation of symptoms and use of traditional home remedies, leading to delayed professional eye care and avoidable blindness.PURPOSEThis case series aims to report three separate cases of avoidable blindness after inappropriate ophthalmic self-medication to draw attention to the need for intense public health education in Ghana.CASE REPORTSThree men aged 25, 79, and 35 years, respectively, reported severe reduction in visual acuity in one eye for two cases and both eyes for one case. All patients reported ophthalmic self-medication either with an inappropriate drug bought from the drug store or a homemade herbal mixture made from leaves assumed to treat eye infections. Professional care did not yield any improvement in visual acuity because their corneas were already decompensated at the onset of management. The eye of one patient had to be enucleated.CONCLUSIONSThese cases highlight the importance of eye health promotion and education. It is recommended that intense sensitization is carried out at all levels.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Case Series: Avoidable Blindness after Inappropriate Ophthalmic Self-medication in Ghana

Aboagye-MacCarthy

Abraham²

2022

Optom Vis Sci

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“…The questionnaire was obtained from previously published research with similar aims [12]. An online self-administered questionnaire was developed, facevalidated, and pretested to align with the study objectives.…”

Section: Data Collection Management and Statistical Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In 2021, a cross-sectional study conducted in the Riyadh region aimed to investigate the patterns of SM in ophthalmology. The results of the study exhibited a high prevalence (37.2%) of SM [12]. Moreover, in 2020, in Taif City, a cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence of SM and attitude and practice regarding the use of Traditional Eye Medicine (TEM) for eye-related problems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Toward Self-Medicating Eye Symptoms in Jazan Region

Abuageelah,

Hurissi,

Hakami

et al. 2024

MEWFM

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Background: Self-medication with ophthalmic medications is a common practice; however, it raises concerns about the safety and appropriateness of treatment. Therefore, the current study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and approaches toward self-medicating eye symptoms in the Jazan region. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study on the population comprises all individuals (aged 18 and up) who can read and write who were now taking or had previously used ophthalmic medicines. Following IRB approval, the questionnaire was distributed on social media to evaluate the aim of the study. Results: The majority of self-medicating ophthalmic medication users were male and aged between 18 and 29. 97.6% of self-medicators admitted to the practice; however, only 24.1% knew the specific type of medication they used. Lubricant eye drops were the most used medication. Eye dryness and redness were the most common symptoms leading to self-medication, with repeated symptoms and the perception of a simple condition being the most common reasons. Conclusion: Self-medication with ophthalmic medications is widespread in the studied population; nevertheless, there needs to be more knowledge about the specific medications used. Symptoms such as eye dryness and redness are common reasons for self-medication, driven by the perception of simplicity and repeated occurrence. Keywords: Self-medication; Eye symptoms; Blurred vision; Eye redness; Eye pain ; Jazan

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“…Although over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are meant for self-medication and are of proven efficacy and safety, their improper use due to a lack of knowledge of their side effects and interactions could have serious implications, especially in extremes of ages (children and old age) and special physiological conditions, such as pregnancy and lactation [ 8 ]. Self-medication practice is a common phenomenon all over the world, including in industrialized and developing countries [ 9 - 10 ]. The prevalence of irresponsible self-medication is high all over the world [ 11 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ophthalmic Self-Medication Practices and Associated Factors of Using Steroid Eye Drops Among Adult Ophthalmic Patients

Alamer¹,

Alazzam²,

Alanazi³

et al. 2023

Cureus

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Background: Self-medication is defined as the selection of medicines by individuals to treat self-diagnosed ophthalmic symptoms without consultation of healthcare professionals. Topical steroids can produce severe eye-threatening complications, including the elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) with possible development of glaucoma and infrequent optic nerve damage. In recent times, many over-the-counter (OTC) ophthalmic preparations are possible without a prescription. There are a lot of concerns about the safety of long-term use of nonprescription ophthalmic drugs, which may lead to a variety of serious ocular complications. Objective: To determine the prevalence of self-medication ocular topical steroid practices and associated factors among adult ophthalmic patients attending ophthalmology clinics at King Saud Medical City (KSMC) in Riyadh. Methods: A cross-sectional study targeted adults aged 18 or older who had used topical steroids eye drops. The data were collected through interviews, and an online questionnaire was distributed among patients who attended ophthalmology clinics between December 2022 and February 2023. Result: From a total of 308 responses, 92 (29.8%) were using ocular topical, 58 (18.8%) with a prescription, five (1.6%) without a prescription, and 29 (9.4%) with and without a prescription, while 216 (70.1%) did not use it. The frequency of using ocular topical steroids without a prescription among participants was 11 (12%) once and 33 (35%) many times. Additionally, 26 (28.3%) were having complications, mostly eye infections (11, 12.4%), glaucoma (8, 9%), and cataracts (6, 6.7%). The reasons for practicing self-medication of steroid eye drops among participants were 14 (15.2%) repeated symptoms, 11 (15.2%) had heard advice from friends, and 11 (15.2%) think they had enough knowledge. Conclusion: The study reported the use of self-medication with steroids in ophthalmology clinics at KSMC, even though detecting a high level of perception and acceptable practices among participants. This practice is mainly due to participants having repeated symptoms and thinking they have enough knowledge. Educating the patients would help in reducing the incidence of self-medication steroid eye drops and its associated complications.

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

Cited by 5 publications

References 25 publications

Case Series: Avoidable Blindness after Inappropriate Ophthalmic Self-medication in Ghana

Case Series: Avoidable Blindness after Inappropriate Ophthalmic Self-medication in Ghana

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Toward Self-Medicating Eye Symptoms in Jazan Region

Ophthalmic Self-Medication Practices and Associated Factors of Using Steroid Eye Drops Among Adult Ophthalmic Patients

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