Awareness level of general population regarding keratoconus in Aseer region, Southern of Saudi Arabia

Awareness of Keratoconus and Its Relationship With Eye Rubbing Among the Population of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND

Keratoconus is an eye condition where the cornea, the clear, dome-shaped front part of the eye, becomes thinner and gradually bulges outward into a cone shape. Keratoconus usually affects both eyes. The exact cause of keratoconus is unknown, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

AIM

This study aims to assess the awareness level of keratoconus and its relation to eye rubbing among the population in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, involving all eligible participants via an online pre-designed questionnaire from March to June 2023. The data were collected through social media.

RESULTS

A total of 388 eligible participants completed the study questionnaire. Participants' ages ranged from 19 to 60 years, with a mean age of 26.2 ± 13.9 years. There were 265 (68.3%) female participants. Regarding public awareness about keratoconus among participants in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, our research revealed a total of 101 (26%) participants had an overall good awareness of keratoconus, while 287 (74%) had a poor awareness level. The most reported source of information included scientific lectures (21.6%). Precisely, 316 (81.4%) of the research subjects rub their eyes primarily because of allergies (7%), strain headaches (25%), and itching (66.5%).

CONCLUSION

Most of the study participants have poor awareness about keratoconus and its relation to eye rubbing. Health education programs for the population should be conducted to enhance public awareness about keratoconus.

The Level of Awareness of Keratoconus Among the General Population in Hail Region, Saudi Arabia

Background Keratoconus (KC) is a non-inflammatory corneal disease with an early onset in adulthood, leading to a reduction in visual acuity. This study aims to evaluate the level of awareness of keratoconus among the general population in the Hail region of Saudi Arabia. Methodology Data were collected through a pre-designed and pre-validated online questionnaire (Appendix) distributed via social media platforms. The questionnaire was divided into two sections. The first section included demographic profiles, while the second section inquired about knowledge and awareness regarding Keratoconus. The collected data was reviewed, coded, and inputted into IBM Corp. Released 2013. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp. Statistical analyses were performed using the Pearson Chi-Square test, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. Results The total number of respondents was 550, among whom 40% were males and 60% were females. 79.6% of the participants were in the age range of 18-30 years. The level of education and a positive family history of KC showed significant associations with the level of knowledge about KC (p<0.05). The age group had a non-significant association (p=0.059), while gender had a significant association with the level of knowledge about keratoconus (p<0.05). Conclusion In conclusion, the overall awareness regarding KC progression, interventions, and the consequences of eye rubbing was limited among the participants. Specific efforts are crucial to enhance public awareness and understanding of KC, ensuring a more informed and proactive approach to eye health within the community.

The Lifetime Expenditure in People with Keratoconus in Saudi Arabia

AIM

This study measured and evaluated the socioeconomic burden of people living with keratoconus in Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

This study employed a cross-sectional design, a Keratoconus Economic Burden Questionnaire, and a convenient sample of 89 keratoconus patients (58.4% male) drawn from multiple regions in Saudi Arabia. It was conducted using online surveys, and the data were analyzed using appropriate quantitative techniques.

RESULTS

The mean age and annual income of the participants were 33.24 (SD = 6.82) years and USD 9046.52 (SD = 16,866.48), respectively, with only 37% being employed for wages. Up to 94.4% needed glasses or contact lenses at least once a week, and 73.0% received care from optometrists. The condition forced 45.9% of the respondents to change careers or leisure activities, with a further 51.3% having to take time off work. The mean annual out-of-pocket expenses for buying and maintaining glasses or contact lenses, as well as traveling and accommodation for keratoconus-related treatment were USD 2341.76 (SD = 3053.09), with 48.32 incurring upwards of USD 3240 over the period. The treatment costs increased with disease duration, r(89) = 0.216, p < 0.05. Regression results showed that the existence of comorbid eye disease, changing glasses at least once a year, and wearing either glasses or contact lenses at least once a week individually had statistically significant negative effects on the total annual keratoconus treatment costs, while disease duration, utilization of optometrists, and taking time off had a statistically significant increase on the total cost (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

With a prevalence rate of 1 in 375, progressive debilitation, and the lifetime nature of the disease, keratoconus is a critical public health concern in Saudi Arabia. The resulting visual impairment and discomfort, as well as both direct and indirect economic burdens, have considerable impacts on the patient's quality of life.

Current social determinants of health and social risk factors in conditions of the cornea: a scoping review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To achieve health equity in eye health and vision care, social determinants of health (SDoH) and the associated social risk factors must be addressed. To address SDoH and social risk factors in ophthalmology, they must first be identified. The purpose of this review was to determine the SDoH and social risk factors in conditions of the cornea that have most recently been explored.

RECENT FINDINGS

This review identified social risk factors associated with all five domains of SDoH, as outlined by Healthy People 2030. The neighborhood and built environment was the domain identified the most for both exploration and observation. The social and community context domain was the least explored, and healthcare access and quality and social and community context domains were the least observed. The cornea condition explored the most in relation to SDoH was dry eye syndrome.

SUMMARY

The findings from this review can inform clinicians on the social risk factors that could be screened for in eye care facilities, so patients can be connected with services to minimize the impact of social risk factors on cornea conditions. Furthermore, the findings have identified cornea conditions and domains of SDoH that are understudied which can be an area for future studies by vision researchers.

Awareness of Keratoconus and Its Association With Eye Rubbing Among the Population in Aseer Province

BACKGROUND

Keratoconus (KC), is a non-inflammatory, bilateral, asymmetrical, progressive disease characterized by ectasia, thinning, increasing corneal curvature, and loss of visual acuity. In Saudi Arabia, it was discovered that KC has been the main reason for corneal transplantation in the past 20 years. Eye rubbing is considered one of the most significant risk factors for KC based on available data.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among adults in Aseer province, Saudi Arabia in 2023. Data were collected through a pre-designed online questionnaire consisting of 17 questions divided into three sections. The questionnaire was preceded by informed consent and insured to maintain the confidentiality of the data.

RESULTS

A total of 498 respondents were included in this study. The majority of the study's participants were in the 18 to 25 age group and females made up the majority. The majority of participants had a university education. 41.6% of individuals reported experiencing an allergic disorder, 59.0% reported having knowledge about KC, and the overall participants' awareness regarding KC was poor at 85.74%, with the highest percentage of good awareness (22.2%) detected among the 18-25 age group.

CONCLUSION

The study revealed a concerning lack of awareness about KC among the population in Aseer Province, Saudi Arabia. Additionally, a significant percentage of participants engaged in eye rubbing, a behavior associated with increased risk for KC. There is a need for increased awareness about KC and the importance of avoiding eye rubbing.

Community Awareness of Congenital Talipes Equinovarus (Clubfoot) in Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) or clubfoot is known as a deformity characterized by excessively turned-in feet and high medial longitudinal arches. It is one of the most common musculoskeletal abnormalities. It is estimated that approximately 20% of CTEV cases are caused by another congenital disease or syndromic condition.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge about CTEV among the general population in the Makkah region of the kingdom.  Methods: This study was a community-based cross-sectional descriptive study carried on by an online questionnaire, previously validated in published studies, among residents in the Makkah region of Saudi Arabia who successfully fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria.  Results: Out of the total number of respondents (n=1,987), gender was found to be significantly associated with awareness about CTEV (p-value=0.007) as females tend to have higher awareness levels than males. Having a child with CTEV was found to be significantly associated with awareness level (p-value˂0.001). In addition, university and secondary levels of education are more aware of CTEV than other levels of education (p-value=0.023).

CONCLUSION

According to the results, the lack of awareness campaigns may contribute to the low public awareness of CTEV. It is recommended that social media platforms and public campaigns be utilized to increase awareness of CTEV in key locations such as malls. These initiatives may motivate people to seek treatment for their disease as early as possible. In addition, early management of CTEV is less invasive and leads to better patient outcomes when followed up regularly.