Polypharmacy in Ophthalmology: Pattern of Drug Prescription by Ophthalmologist

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to analyze the prescribing pattern of drugs by Ophthalmologist in our settings for various ocular conditions. As Recognition of these drug usage patterns provides the basis for improving safety and plummeting risks associated with their overuse and misuse.

Material and Methods: For this Descriptive Cross-sectional study, data of 200 patients at ophthalmology outpatient department Nishtar Hospital Multan was collected Prospectively. Strategy of non-probability purposive sampling was adopted. Data was collected from December 2024 to February 2025. Demographic profile, nature of the disease, type/class of Topical drugs prescribed as well as quantity of topical drugs were documented and analyzed. All the new cases were included in the study and patients with follow-up were excluded.

Results:   Among the participants, 99 (49.5%) were male and 101 (50.5%) were female patients. 47 (23.5%) patients were between 61-75 years of age and 51 (25.5%) were above 75 years of age. Large number of patients (50, 25%) were undiagnosed. Mean number of drugs prescribed per prescription were 3.28, with minimum 1 and maximum 6 drugs. A total of 654 medicines were prescribed. Among the total prescribed drugs Ocular lubricants were 22.9%, Antibiotics plus steroids combination 91 (13.9 %) and Antibiotics were 80(12.2%). Topical NSAIDs were prescribed 108 (16.5%) and steroid 54 (8.3%). Share of Antihistamine and Mast cell stabilizer was (9.6%).

Conclusion: This study reflects knowledge, attitude and practice of our ophthalmologists regarding ocular drugs prescription. Overall findings of the study suggest that ophthalmologists’ drug prescribing habits were appropriate to a larger extent in the current setting. Few areas need special attention like number of drugs prescribed, indications of particular drug for a particular disease, proper diagnosis of clinical presentations.