Background: Visual impairment is one of the most important public health issues, significantly affecting the quality of life of millions worldwide. Hence, increasing awareness will likely promote effective management and result in minimizing the burden of visual impairment and the expense of eye care. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of the Saudi Arabian population in the Al-Baha region with regard to cataracts, glaucoma, refractive errors, and dry eye syndrome (DES).
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on the general population of the Al-Baha region, Saudi Arabia, from July 10, 2024, to November 15, 2024. Exclusion criteria included individuals who were not residents of the specified area and those under 18 years of age. Data were collected using a validated electronic questionnaire collected data on participants’ demographics and knowledge related to common ocular diseases.
Results: A total of 391 participants were included in our study; 57% were females and 41.9% were between 18 and 23 years. Cataracts are the most known disease, as 61.9% of participants had good knowledge of them. This was followed by DES at 61.6%, diabetic retinopathy at 51.2%, and, finally, glaucoma at 50.4%. Factors such as age, gender, region, income, and education were associated with varying levels of knowledge.
Conclusion: The findings of the present study highlight a significant gap in knowledge and awareness with regard to common ocular diseases in the Al-Baha region. Increased public health efforts are needed to raise awareness, promote early detection, and encourage timely treatment, thereby reducing the burden.
Key words: Cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, knowledge
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