Prevalence of Abuse of Ophtalmic Anesthetic Drops among Welders in Kerman City (2007)

Background & Aims: Abuse of topical anesthetic drops causes serious ocular complications. Obtaining information about the prevalence of anesthetic drops abuse among high risk groups specially welders is necessary for taking appropriate strategies for prevention. The present study aimed at determining the prevalence of anesthetic drops abuse among welders in Kerman. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 390 welders selected randomly were asked for the consumption of anesthetic drops by using a questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS 11.5 software. Results: In whole, 314 ones (80.5%) said that they use tetracaine and of whom 295 ones (93.9%) had used the drug frequently. Lack of time for referring to Physician, high cost of visiting by physicians, spontaneous relief of symptoms and no other therapeutic measure by physicians were the most important reasons of selftreatment in welders. In whole, 216 ones (69.3%) had heard about these drugs from their coworkers, 85 ones (27.2%) from physicians, 51 ones (16.3%) from pharmacy personnel and 9 ones (2.9%) from their family members. The prevalence of abuse was significantly higher in those with post secondary educational level (P<0.05). Most of the subjects (97.4%) had got the drugs from pharmacies and without prescription. Conclusion: High prevalence of anesthetic drops abuse among welders and probably other similar jobs and educated people, their prescription by general practitioners and their selling in pharmacies without prescription requires more serious measures for prevention.