DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2016.v04i08.019

Pages: 2822-2824

The objective of present study is to investigate the nature and frequency of use of Traditional Eye Medicine (TEM) for eye diseases in patients from predominantly rural background of Adilabad district of Telangana. The study was done at the OPD of Department of ophthalmology, RIMS over a period of 12 months. A specially prepared questionnaire was used to be filled by the patients for getting required information. Total of 564 patients participated in the study reported to the Department Of Ophthalmology during a period of 1 year. Out of 564 patients, 98 patients (17.31%) reported who had used traditional eye medicines. Patients with history of trauma were more likely to use TEM. Common forms of TEM used were human breast milk, leafy matter and other types of medicines. Despite the awareness, use of Traditional Eye Medicines is very high in this segment of the population. It is still tragic that many of the patients reporting with the complications of the medicines. Health education is mandatory to prevent these avoidable causes.