A COUNTRY-WIDE SURVEY ON KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE ABOUT CAUSES AND MANAGEMENT TOWARDS AMBLYOPIA AMONG SAUDI POPULATION

Objectives: To investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of Saudi population towards amblyopia on a national level.

Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 among people who were aged ≥ 18 years from all regions of Saudi Arabia by using online self-administered questionnaire. The survey consisted of three main sections 1) sociodemographic data, personal and family history of eye diseases 2) knowledge questions and 3) attitude and practice questions. A survey link was used to collect data which also included an informed consent to be read and approved by the participant.

Results: We interviewed 2001 Saudi nationals (24.7% men, 75.3% women), with mean age of 32.0 (±11.6) years.Seventy-three-point nine percent of the participants had no knowledge of amblyopia, while 26.1% had heard of it and knew its correct definition. Of those, 23.4% believe it can be attributed to genetics, 20.3% believe it can be caused by refractive errors and strabismus, and 45.9% are unsure whether it can be treated or cured. According to 25.8% of respondents, the media is the most common source of information on amblyopia. Eye exercises, surgery, medications and patching the good eye were perceived as treatment options by 21.3%, 20.3%, 17.0% and 17.5% of the participants, respectively. Although 49.2% are unaware of what age amblyopia can be treated, 22.8% believe that amblyopia can be treated after the age of 18.

Conclusion: Our study showed that Saudi citizens have low level of awareness and inadequate knowledge about amblyopia, its causes, management and importance of early detection.