Cureus · 8 authors, 3 centres
This summary was generated by AI from a single paper. It has not been reviewed by a clinician and is not clinical advice. Verify against the source before acting on it.
This cross-sectional study of 522 adults in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province found that only 28.5% had good awareness of dry eye syndrome (DES), with most participants unaware of key risk factors like diabetes and refractive surgery. Younger age, healthcare employment, and prior eye surgery were significantly associated with better knowledge. The findings highlight a critical need for public education campaigns to improve DES awareness and management in the region.
**Background:** Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a multifactorial disease of the tear film causing ocular discomfort and visual disturbance, with high prevalence in Saudi Arabia (ranging from 32.1% in Al-Ahsa to 93.2% in Jeddah). Despite its impact on quality of life and productivity, awareness of DES among the Eastern Province population was poorly characterized. This study aimed to assess knowledge of DES symptoms, risk factors, complications, and preventive measures in this region.
**Methods:** A descriptive, community-based cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated, self-administered online questionnaire distributed via social media. Inclusion criteria were adults ≥18 years living in the Eastern Province. The minimum sample size was calculated as 385 (95% confidence, 5% precision), and 522 participants were enrolled. The questionnaire covered demographics, medical history, eye care practices, and awareness of DES (causes, symptoms, complications, prevention). Each correct answer scored 1 point; overall awareness was classified as good (≥60% of total possible score) or poor (<60%). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 with chi-square tests (significance at p≤0.05). Ethical approval was obtained from King Faisal University (KFU-REC-2022-SEP-ETHICS166).
**Key Results:** Participants had a mean age of 27.2±14.6 years; 65.3% were female, 33.1% worked in the governmental sector, and 21.5% were healthcare workers. Chronic diseases included thyroid disorders (6.9%), diabetes (5.0%), and hypercholesterolemia (4.8%). Eye-related behaviors: 60.5% rubbed their eyes, 59.8% used electronic devices for long periods continuously, and only 12.1% visited a doctor regularly. Overall, 59.2% knew what DES is, and 92.2% of those believed it is common in Saudi Arabia. The most recognized causes were prolonged electronic device use (78.5%), climatic factors (67.8%), and lacrimal gland disorders (40.0%); only 36.8% identified refractive surgery and 35.4% identified medical conditions (diabetes, thyroid, rheumatoid arthritis) as causes. Symptoms most known were tingling/burning (59.0%), redness (58.4%), eye strain (56.1%), and foreign body sensation (52.5%). Complications were less recognized: corneal abrasions (43.3%), impact on daily activities (40.8%), inflammatory infection (39.7%), and poor vision (37.2%). Preventive measures were better known: moisturizing drops (75.7%), taking breaks every 20 minutes (71.5%), and wearing sunglasses (55.9%). Overall, only 28.5% (149/522) had good awareness, while 71.5% (373/522) had poor awareness. Factors significantly associated with good awareness included age 18-25 years (40.2% good vs. 19.3% in 36-55 years; p=0.001), healthcare worker/student status (50.0% good vs. 17.8% non-employed; p=0.001), prior eye surgery (40.2% good vs. 26.4% no surgery; p=0.011), and use of moisturizing ointments (50.0% good vs. 22.5% using none; p=0.001). Gender, chronic diseases, and regular doctor visits were not significantly associated.
**Clinical Implications:** The study reveals a substantial gap in public knowledge about DES in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, with only about one-quarter demonstrating good awareness. Notably, awareness of important risk factors such as refractive surgery and systemic diseases (diabetes, thyroid disorders) was low, and knowledge of complications was poor. These findings underscore the need for targeted educational campaigns, especially for older adults and non-healthcare workers, to improve recognition of DES causes, symptoms, and preventive strategies. Given the high prevalence of DES in Saudi Arabia and its impact on daily life and productivity, enhancing public awareness could facilitate earlier diagnosis, better self-management, and reduced disease burden. The study's limitations include potential selection bias from online distribution and a relatively small sample size for subgroup analyses.