Awareness of Common Eye Diseases Among College Students at A Saudi University

Abstract

Introduction: Many eye conditions, including cataract, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy, are among the major causes of blindness in the world. There were many studies on the subject worldwide but fewer in the Middle East; hence, the subject needs more investigation. This research is significant as it fills the gap in the literature on the awareness of common eye diseases in Saudi Arabia. This study was carried out to assess the awareness of common eye diseases among college students at a Saudi University. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study, including college students at Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University (PSAU), Saudi Arabia. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire and was analyzed using the SPSS program. Results: Our study included 579 participants. 62.7% of participants reported no family history of eye diseases, and among those who did, dry eye was the most frequently mentioned condition, with 27.8%. Cataract, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy had lower reported family histories at 12.3%, 5.9%, and 3.5%, respectively. Concerning awareness, 60.3% of participants were aware of dry eye, followed by cataract (38.7%) and glaucoma (33.3%). However, 26.9% reported no awareness of any eye disease. The internet emerged as the most significant source of information (46.7%), while family, friends, and relatives were also prominent sources (35.4%). Regarding knowledge of specific eye diseases, there were varying awareness levels. For example, 58.4% recognized cataract as treatable, and 42.5% knew glaucoma could cause blindness. Conclusion: A significant proportion of participants exhibited awareness of conditions like dry eye, cataract, and glaucoma; there is room for improvement. Study findings underscore the importance of educational interventions aimed at enhancing awareness, especially for students in non-medical disciplines.