Use of Complementary and Alternative Therapies among Adult Glaucoma Patients Attending a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The use of complementary and alternative medicine has increased over the years with people worldwide relying on them for the prevention and treatment of various ailments. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, types of complementary and alternative therapies used by glaucoma patients and effects of these medications on the purchase of anti-glaucoma medication. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study. A total of 102 consecutive patients attending the glaucoma clinic at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital were surveyed on the use of CAM. Standardized data collection sheet was used to gather information included demographic variables, ophthalmic history, glaucoma treatment history, and details of CAM use. Result: Of the 102 studied participants, only 16(15.7%) used CAM. The commonest CAM used was eye capsules 7(43.8%) followed by supplements 5(31.3%) and herbal concoction 4(25.0%) respectively. People of age group 51-70 were the predominant users of CAM and majority of them 12(75%) reported that their ophthalmologist did not know about their use of CAM. Conclusion: Approximately 1 in 6 glaucoma patients used CAM for their disease. The majority reported that they still took conventional glaucoma medications as prescribed. Many of these patients did not disclose the use of CAM to their ophthalmologist.