Awareness of amblyopia among the adult population in Arar city of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the amblyopia awareness among Saudi adults in Arar, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A total number of 368 participants aged between 18-59 years were involved in this questionnaire-based survey. Results: Nearly two thirds (63.3%) of all participants belonged to the age group 18 to 29 years.Male participants made up more than half of the study population (57.3%) and 56.8% were related to the health sector. Nearly one third (31%) of the participants had a wrong opinion that amblyopia could be detected with the naked eye while as 47.8% thought that proper eye checkup was not necessary.Around 61% participants had no idea about the treatment, 34.2% had chosen the incorrect option that amblyopia can be treated in any age and 49.5% the incorrect option of covering the healthy eye. However, more than forty percent participants had correctly acknowledged the risk factors as squint and decreased vision in one eye. Regarding the complications 66.3% reported decreased vision, 32.9% blindness and 40% loss of 3D perception. Eye screening and public awareness were stated as main preventive measures and Ministry of Health was suggested as the most effective platform to raise the amblyopia awareness. The participants' main source of information pertaining to amblyopia was the internet. Conclusion: This study shows that the amblyopia awareness is unsatisfactory among Saudi adults living in Arar city and highlights the need for raising this awareness through reliable platforms to overcome the unwanted consequences associated with this health issue.