Authors : Preeti Mittal, Preeti Mittal, Preethi B , Preethi B , Kiran Kumar K, Kiran Kumar K, Sampritha U C, Sampritha U C, Sriya Sridhar, Sriya Sridhar, Suresh Babu G, Suresh Babu G
DOI : 10.18231/j.ijceo.2021.148
Volume : 7
Issue : 4
Year : 2021
Page No : 731-735
Purpose: To study the prevalence, types and demographic profile of traditional eye medicine (TEM) use among corneal ulcer patients presenting to a tertiary eye care centre in South India.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted on 432 new corneal ulcer patients at a tertiary eye care centre in South India from September 2018 to July 2019. Data collected included demographic profile such as name, age, sex, occupation, income, rural/urban residence, type of TEM use.
Results: Of the 432 new corneal ulcer cases, 32 used TEM. Most TEM users belonged to the age group 40- 60 years (n= 20; 62.5%). There was no difference in sex distribution. Majority of TEM users in our study resided in rural areas (n= 30; 93.75%), were involved in agriculture as occupation (n=28, 87.5%) and belonged to the lower socioeconomic status n=31(96.88%) as per Kuppuswamy classification. Profile of TEM used ranged from plant extract (n= 14; 43.75%), tongue cleaning (n= 5; 15.63%), oil (n= 7; 21.87%), breast milk (n= 4; 12.5%) and ash (n= 2; 6.25%).
Conclusion: Use of traditional medicine is a prevalent practice in the study population. These findings offer a better understanding of health seeking behaviour of the study population which will lead to better planning, implementation and targeting of preventive and promotive eye services and awareness programmes.
Keywords: Traditional eye medicine, Corneal ulcer, Preventive health care.