To assess the prevalence, patterns, determinants, and self-reported outcomes of ophthalmic self-medication among adults in Bulgaria, highlighting its public health implications.
Key Findings:
The prevalence of ophthalmic self-medication was 63.7% among 1,000 respondents.
Common complaints included infectious conditions (37.3%) and dry-eye symptoms (23.1%).
Primary motivations for self-medication were lack of time to seek care (41.1%) and perception that consultation was unnecessary (33.7%).
66.2% of participants considered self-medication safe, while 39.6% reported poor or no knowledge of ophthalmic medications.
Adverse reactions were rare (0.6%), and 34.5% sought ophthalmological consultation.
Interpretation:
Significant associations were found between age and self-medication, type of complaint and motivation, and adverse reactions and consultation, but no significant associations were found with gender, education, or perceived safety. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions.
Limitations:
The sample reflects a digitally active and self-selected population, which may not represent the general Bulgarian population, potentially limiting the generalizability of the findings.
Data were collected through an online survey, which may introduce bias in responses.
Conclusion:
Ophthalmic self-medication is prevalent in Bulgaria, driven by accessibility barriers and perceived low necessity for specialist consultation. The findings highlight the need for targeted patient education and improved access to ophthalmic care, addressing the gaps in knowledge.
