ArticlePloS one2017
Use of traditional eye medicine and self-medication in rural India: A population-based study.
Article in PloS one, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 24 papers.
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Who cites it
24 citing papers in PubMed, 53 citations in OpenAlex.
- Article
- Global Perspectives on Therapy for Noninfectious Conjunctival Hyperemia: A Narrative Review.Ophthalmology and therapy · 2026Review
- Global Prevalence and Clinical Consequences of Traditional Eye Medicine: A Descriptive Review.Clinical optometry · 2026Review
- Prevalence and Predictors of Self-Medication Among Ophthalmic Patients in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- Polypharmacy and self-medication among older adults in Indian urban communities-a cross-sectional study.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Bacterial pathogens and antimicrobial susceptibility in ocular infections: A study at Boru-Meda General Hospital, Dessie, Ethiopia.BMC ophthalmology · 2024Article
- Prevalence of traditional eye medicine and self-treatment in Gurage Zone, Rural Ethiopia.BMC complementary medicine and therapies · 2024Article
- Traditional eye medicine practice and its determinant factors among ophthalmic patients in the West Bank.Journal of public health research · 2024Article
- Medicinal Plants Used for Eye Conditions in Mexico-A Review.Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Review
- Ocular complications and associated factors among traditional eye medicines users attending the eye clinic at Mulago national referral hospital, Uganda.African health sciences · 2023Article
- Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Activity of Oftasecur and Visuprime Ophthalmic Solutions.Microorganisms · 2023Article
- Design and Evaluating Psychometric Properties of the Eye Care Behaviors Assessment Instrument.International journal of preventive medicine · 2023Article
- Big data in corneal diseases and cataract: Current applications and future directions.Frontiers in big data · 2023Review
- Study of health seeking behaviour in parents of children in a population-based childhood visual impairment study in North India - "CHVI 2".Journal of family medicine and primary care · 2023Article
- Prevalence of self-medication among the elderly: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Journal of education and health promotion · 2023Review
- Article
- Barriers to Accessing Eye Health Services in Suburban Communities in Nampula, Mozambique.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Article
- Comparative profile of ocular surface microbiome in vernal keratoconjunctivitis patients and healthy subjects.Graefe's archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology = Albrecht von Graefes Archiv fur klinische und experimentelle Ophthalmologie · 2021Article
- The Lancet Global Health Commission on Global Eye Health: vision beyond 2020.The Lancet. Global health · 2021Review
- Article
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Authors and funding
6 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveTo determine the type and nature of traditional eye medicine (TEM), their sources and use and practices related to self-medication for ophthalmic diseases in a rural Indian population.
methodsA population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in 25 randomly selected clusters of Rural Gurgaon, Haryana, India as part of CORE (Cornea Opacity Rural Epidemiological) study. In addition to comprehensive ophthalmic examination, health-seeking behavior and use of self-medication and TEM was assessed in the adult population using a semi-structured questionnaire. Physical verification of available ophthalmic medications in the enumerated households was conducted by the study team. Descriptive statistics were computed along with multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine associated factors for use of self-medication and TEM.
resultsOf the 2160 participants interviewed, 396 (18.2%) reported using ophthalmic medications without consulting an ophthalmologist, mainly for symptoms like watering (37.1%), redness (27.7%), itching (19.2%) and infection (13.6%). On physical verification of available eye drops that were being used without prescription, 26.4% participants were practicing self-medication. Steroid, expired/unlabeled and indigenous eye drops were being used by 151(26.5%), 120(21.1%) and 75 (13.2%) participants respectively. Additionally, 25.7% (529) participants resorted to home remedies like 'kajal'(61.4%), honey (31.4%), ghee (11.7%) and rose water (9.1%).
conclusionUse of TEM is prevalent in this population. The rampant use of steroid eye drops without prescription along with use of expired or unlabelled eye drops warrants greater emphasis on safe eye care practices in this population. Public awareness and regulatory legislations must be implemented to decrease harmful effects arising due to such practices.
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