Prevalence and Predictors of Self-Medication Among Ophthalmic Patients in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Background: When people decide to treat themselves with medication without going to a physician for a prescription, it is called self-medication (SM). This study aims to detect the prevalence rate of SM among ophthalmic patients in Jordan. Methods: This study applied a cross-sectional study design using a questionnaire tool completed by 1009 ophthalmic patients. Binary logistic regression was used to identify predictors of practicing SM. Results: The prevalence rate of participants practicing SM for ophthalmic conditions was 21.0%. The most common reason for SM was medical recommendations from a pharmacist or optician (55.7%), followed by failure to recognize the severity of the symptoms so that the patients thought they did not need a doctor to treat their eyes (34.4%). Eye symptoms included redness (69.3%), itching (61.3%), and a burning sensation (38.7%). The 24-30 age group was more likely to practice SM (p < 0.05). Other patients who had previously undergone ophthalmic surgery and were currently wearing contact lenses were less susceptible to SM practice (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Younger patients with ophthalmic conditions showed a higher probability of practicing SM. SM for eye diseases carries significant risks and requires careful consideration to avoid harmful consequences.