Are you the one who self-prescribe eye drops and look for orthodox methods such as 'surma/kajal', honey, ghee, rose water and other plant, dairy and animal products thinking that they are safe for your precious eyesIJ
If yes, then beware! Ophthalmologists warn that use of traditional eye medicine (TEMs), particularly in eye infection cases can be lethal and cause corneal infections and ulcerations leading to blindness.
TEMs are biologically derived therapies that are usually dried parts of various plants that are rendered soluble in an aqueous medium. They can also be of animal or human origin and include breast milk, saliva and urine.
In rural population, the practice of using TEMs is rampant mainly due to absence or far off located Government health facilities, ignorance, poverty and unawareness.
Researchers in a first ever population-based assessment of the use of TEMs in Indian context conducted in 25 randomly selected clusters of neighbouring Haryana's rural Gurugram found that participants were practicing self-medication, steroid, expired/unlabeled and indigenous eye drops and home remedies like 'kajal', honey, ghee and rose water for relief of ocular symptoms without accessing the health care system.
"A total 2,160 participants were interviewed of which nearly one-fifth reported use of ophthalmic medicines without consulting an ophthalmologist, mainly for symptoms like watering (37.1 per cent), redness (27.7 per cent), itching (19.2 per cent) and infection (13.6 per cent).
"Those with redness with discharge, painful eyes, foreign body sensation, diminution of vision and burning of the eyes also resorted to TEMs," said the study published in the latest edition of reputed journal PlOS One.
Use of TEMs is recognised as an important contributory factor for development as well as for delayed or complicated presentation of corneal ulcer cases, especially in rural populations, said Dr Praveen Vashist, main author of the study.
He said that corneal infection can be corrected only by replacing cornea which is dependent on its availability. "Given that we have dismal rate of eye donation, such people have no chance of getting their sight again," said Vashist, a senior Ophthalmologist from AIIMS.
Concerned that such behaviour were upping blindness cases in the country, Dr Noopur Gupta called for strengthening of eye care programmes and enhance delivery of promotive, preventive and curative healthcare to all while Dr Vashist stressed on public awareness and regulatory legislations to curb the steroid usages and ensuring healthcare referral network.