Acta Scientific Ophthalmology (ISSN: 2582-3191) Volume 4 Issue 5 May 2021 A Survey on Self-Medication in Ophthalmology in the Lebanese Population Alaa Bou Ghannam 1 , Ibrahim Hashim 1 , Ahmad Al Attar 2 , Wajiha Jurdi Kheir 1 , Julien Selim Torbey 1 , Hana A. Mansour 1 and Joanna S. Saade 1 * 1 Department of Ophthalmology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon 2 The American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon *Corresponding Author: Joanna S Saade, Cornea and Refractive Surgery, Department of Ophthalmology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Cairo Street, Hamra, Beirut, Lebanon. Research Article Received: March 29, 2021 Published: April 21, 2021 © All rights are reserved by Joanna S Saade., et al. Abstract Purpose: Over the counter eye drops are commonly used in the Lebanese population to manage eye redness and symptoms. We sought to investigate its prevalence in Lebanon by conducting a survey. Methods: This is a cross-sectional prospective study done between November 2017 and March 2020. Volunteers above 18 years of age filled a questionnaire regarding participants’ demographics as well as information about eye redness and related consultations and drop use. Results: Of the 265 individuals studied, the majority were women (58.1%). 111 individuals reported having red eyes in the last 5 years (41.9%). Of these, 72.1% reported using drops, and 83.8% reported consulting someone for their symptoms (pharmacist, medical doctor, ophthalmologist, or others). Ophthalmologists were primarily consulted in 55.9% of cases. Ophthalmologists and pharmacists were more likely to be consulted by individuals between 31 and 50, as opposed to non-healthcare-worker consultations who were more likely sought by individuals between 51 and 70 years (p = 0.038). Tearing (p = 0.002), foreign body sensation (p > 0.001), and blurry vision (p = 0.016) were correlated with consulting someone for eye redness. Tearing (p = 0.003) and foreign body sensation (p = 0.002) were correlated with drop use. Only 34.1% of drop users read instructions, and individuals with a college level of education were more likely to do so. Conclusion: A large proportion of Lebanese patients will self-medicate with over-the-counter drops without consulting a medical doctor or reading the medication pamphlets. This can be potentially detrimental to patients’ eyes, especially if they are unaware of the side effects. Keywords: Self-Medication in the Middle East; Over the Counter Eye Drops Usage; Awareness to Medication Side Effects; Guidelines for Regulation of Dispensing of Medications Abbreviations NSAIDS: Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs; OTC: Over the Counter; NSS: National Social Security Introduction Self-medication is recognized as the self-use of medicines to treat self-recognized symptoms or a self-diagnosed disease [1]. This includes the use of eye drops to treat eye symptoms. By not Citation: Joanna S Saade., et al. “A Survey on Self-Medication in Ophthalmology in the Lebanese Population". Acta Scientific Ophthalmology 4.5 (2021): 95-100.