ABSTRACT
Background Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. This study aimed to assess the Saudi population's levels of awareness and knowledge regarding glaucoma risk factors, symptoms, treatment, and outcomes. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among the Glaucoma Awareness Campaign attendees during the World Glaucoma Week (2015-2016). A structured questionnaire was used, and a knowledge score (0-25) was calculated as the sum of all correct answers. Sociodemographic factors, personal and family history of glaucoma, and the presence of risk factors were investigated and analyzed as factors affecting knowledge. Results The study included 1751 participants, with a mean age of 40.23 (SD ±13.86) years; 51.5% were males, 3.7% had glaucoma and 22.6% had a family history of glaucoma. The overall awareness rate was 65.6%, which was moderately higher among females (71.6%), older participants (≥40 years, 69.7%), and highly educated participants (70.6%). Concerning knowledge, 15.4% had fair to good knowledge (score 15-25). Participants with a personal history of glaucoma had relatively greater knowledge regarding glaucoma-specific questions, such as optic nerve damage (p=0.001) and the requirement of lifetime treatment (p<0.001). Conclusion Awareness and knowledge about glaucoma are limited among the Saudi population, regardless of socioeconomic class or educational status. Knowledge about glaucoma should be further promoted to enable early screening and prevention.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Wearing face masks has been an essential part of healthcare workers' lives since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aims to determine the association between prolonged face mask-wearing and dry eye disorder (DED) among female nurses. METHODS: An online questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between May 2021 and February 2022. It covered sociodemographic data, conditions associated with ocular irritation, and questions related to mask-wearing duration. The Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) survey was used to measure DED severity. Binary logistic regression analysis was done and Odd's ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported. RESULTS: A total of 266 female nurses responded to this study. The majority of the sample (71.1%) fell in the normal-mild DED category (OSDI 0-22), while (28.9%) were categorized as the moderate-severe DED category (OSDI >22). We found a significant independent association of dry eye disorder with wearing a mask for >6 hours/day (OR 2.066, 95% CI: 1.083-3.944). Other significant predictors of DED in this study were wearing corrective eyeglasses (OR 2.382, 95% CI: 1.296-4.376) and having rheumatoid arthritis (OR 17.289, 95% CI: 1.794-166.7). CONCLUSION: Wearing a face mask for > 6 hours/day was significantly associated with moderate to severe DED among female nursing staff. Ophthalmologists should be aware of this adverse effect in order to promote ways to relieve this condition.
