Kordi Essam S, Almokhtar Amirah M, Alshareef Esraa K, Alkayyal Aaesha A, Alharbi Jana O, Alharbi Abdulrahman H
Ophthalmology, Ohud Hospital, Medina, SAU.
Medicine, Taibah University, Medina, SAU.
Cureus. 2022 Nov 29;14(11):e32030. doi: 10.7759/cureus.32030. eCollection 2022 Nov.
Keratoconus is a non-inflammatory, bilateral, asymmetrical progressive disorder characterized by ectasia, thinning, and increased curvature of the cornea, as well as loss of visual acuity. Eye rubbing is considered the most common risk factor for keratoconus.
This study aims to assess the awareness of the population in Medina about keratoconus and its relation to eye rubbing.
This is a cross-sectional study involving 767 participants via an online pre-designed questionnaire from November 2021 to January 2022, in Medina, Saudi Arabia. Results: Among the study participants, 94.1% have a lack of awareness about keratoconus and its relation to eye rubbing. Participants who have a visual disturbance and positive family history of keratoconus were found to have good awareness levels. Those who heard about keratoconus represent 39.8% of the participants, and relatives with keratoconus were the most common source of their information. An allergic reaction was reported by 34.9% of the participants, and 7.7% have a family history of keratoconus. Only 27.8% believe in the relationship between keratoconus and allergy, and 61.9% have no idea about the treatment. For eye rubbing, 28.9% of participants believe it can lead to keratoconus; also, 80.4% reported rubbing their eyes, and itching was the most common cause of their behavior.
The majority of the participants have a lack of awareness about keratoconus and its relation to eye rubbing. Health education programs for the population should be conducted to enhance public awareness about keratoconus.
圆锥角膜是一种非炎症性、双侧不对称的进行性疾病，其特征为角膜扩张、变薄、曲率增加以及视力下降。揉眼被认为是圆锥角膜最常见的危险因素。
本研究旨在评估麦地那人群对圆锥角膜及其与揉眼关系的认知情况。
这是一项横断面研究，于2021年11月至2022年1月通过在线预先设计的问卷对沙特阿拉伯麦地那的767名参与者进行调查。结果：在研究参与者中，94.1%对圆锥角膜及其与揉眼的关系缺乏认知。发现有视力障碍和圆锥角膜家族史阳性的参与者认知水平良好。听说过圆锥角膜的参与者占39.8%，其信息最常见的来源是患有圆锥角膜的亲属。34.9%的参与者报告有过敏反应，7.7%有圆锥角膜家族史。只有27.8%的人相信圆锥角膜与过敏之间的关系，61.9%的人对治疗方法一无所知。关于揉眼，28.9%的参与者认为揉眼会导致圆锥角膜；此外，80.4%的参与者报告有揉眼行为，瘙痒是其揉眼行为最常见的原因。
大多数参与者对圆锥角膜及其与揉眼的关系缺乏认知。应为该人群开展健康教育项目，以提高公众对圆锥角膜的认知。
