Abstract

Aim-To assess causality of myths/ home-medication among pediatric patients presenting with delayed/complicated presentation of eye diseases.
Methods- Cross sectional analytical study wherein complete history of previous home-medication and myths was taken for 104 eyes of 67 children . The demographic data of parents/caregiver who influenced the decision to delay was taken. Visual outcome of disease was assessed qualitatively.
Results- Average 4.3 days of home-medication was used before professional opinion was taken. The demography of parents/caregivers opting for home- medication/ myths for their child was 64.3% rural, 50.7 % primary educated, 87% in joint family, 49.5% unemployed. 41.2% received natural remedies, while 36.4% had over the counter medication and 22.4% waited for self-resolution. 21.3% eyes lost sight, 46.8% eyes had moderate vision loss.
Conclusion: Myth based home treatments have multifactorial causality in delaying timely treatment of eye diseases for the children.