Traditional eye medicine use by newly presenting ophthalmic patients to a teaching hospital in south-eastern Nigeria: socio-demographic and clinical correlates

Abstract

Background: This study set out to determine the incidence, socio-demographic, and clinical correlates of Traditional Eye Medicine (TEM) use in a population of newly presenting ophthalmic outpatients attending a tertiary eye care centre in south-eastern Nigeria.

Self-medication in ophthalmology - a northern Indian tertiary hospital experience

“…Self-medication by people with ocular problems has been reported in several studies. 9,10 In our study, redness in 38 (3.1%) was the most common complaint for which the patients opted self-medication. Similar findings were reported in studies done by Kadri R et al 11 and Tayanithi et al 12 where people with red eyes and those with itchy eyes respectively self-medicated more.…”

Ocular injuries and eye care seeking patterns following injuries among cocoa farmers in Ghana

“…38 In the absence of readily available clinics, the culture of using herbal medicine for a variety of problems is evident in many African countries. 39 It is important to note that, reporting to these alternate eye care facilities delay seeking appropriate eye care which increases the risk of visual impairment and blindness. There is therefore, the need to educate farmers on the need for seeking prompt and appropriate eye care following ocular injuries.…”

Correction of Severe Traditional Medication-induced Lower Lid Ectropion: A case report

“…In this instance, it 1,2 eventuated in corneal melting, phthisis and associated tarsal ectropion in the left eye. For the management of tarsal ectropion, a decision has to be taken as to whether the pathogenesis of the ectropion is horizontal laxity (usually involutional) or vertical anterior lamellar shortage (usually cicatricial, associated with burns).…”

“…1,2,3,4 Traditional eye medicines (TEMs) are biologically-based concoctions instilled into the eye to achieve a desired ocular therapeutic effect. They tend to be crude or partially processed organic (plant and animal products) or inorganic (chemical) agents.…”