Al Hemaidi Seham, Alharthi Amjad, AlFehaid Mohammed, Almalki Hussam, Hamzi Yazeed A, Alnemari Abdulaziz, Alhajri Njood M, M Al Hunaif Aljohrah, Almaghrebi Deena A, Alabdulminaim Jehad
Ophthalmology and Surgery, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, SAU.
College of Medicine, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, SAU.
Cureus. 2025 Mar 16;17(3):e80665. doi: 10.7759/cureus.80665. eCollection 2025 Mar.
Self-medication with over-the-counter (OTC) topical eye medications is prevalent and poses potential risks such as adverse effects, drug-drug interactions, and improper treatment. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of the general population in Saudi Arabia regarding the use of OTC topical eye medications.
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using an online Arabic questionnaire. A mixture of convenience and snowball sampling methods was employed to recruit participants. The target population included Saudi residents aged 18 and older. A total of 601 participants, comprising 324 males (53.9%) and 277 females (46.1%), were included. The questionnaire was retested for reliability before distribution. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, with descriptive statistics and chi-square tests used to assess relationships between variables.
The study found that 124 participants (91.9%) who used OTC eye drops once reported no adverse effects, while 11 participants (8.1%) experienced side effects. Among those who used OTC eye drops more frequently, 215 participants (98.6%) reported no adverse events, while three participants (1.4%) experienced adverse effects. A statistically significant relationship was found between the frequency of OTC eye drop use and the occurrence of side effects (p=0.005). Awareness of the risks associated with OTC eye drop misuse was generally low.
The findings highlight the need for targeted public health initiatives in Saudi Arabia to educate individuals about the safe and appropriate use of OTC topical eye medications and the potential risks of misuse.
使用非处方（OTC）局部用眼部药物进行自我药疗很普遍，并且存在诸如不良反应、药物相互作用和治疗不当等潜在风险。本研究旨在评估沙特阿拉伯普通人群在使用OTC局部用眼部药物方面的知识、态度和行为（KAP）。
使用在线阿拉伯语问卷进行了一项描述性横断面研究。采用便利抽样和滚雪球抽样相结合的方法招募参与者。目标人群包括18岁及以上的沙特居民。共纳入601名参与者，其中男性324名（53.9%），女性277名（46.1%）。问卷在分发前进行了可靠性复测。使用SPSS 26版进行数据分析，采用描述性统计和卡方检验来评估变量之间的关系。
研究发现，124名（91.9%）曾使用过一次OTC眼药水的参与者报告无不良反应，而11名（8.1%）出现了副作用。在更频繁使用OTC眼药水的人群中，215名（98.6%）报告无不良事件，而3名（1.4%）出现了不良反应。发现OTC眼药水使用频率与副作用发生之间存在统计学显著关系（p=0.005）。对OTC眼药水误用相关风险的认知普遍较低。
研究结果凸显了沙特阿拉伯需要开展有针对性的公共卫生举措，以教育个人安全、合理地使用OTC局部用眼部药物以及误用的潜在风险。
