Knowledge and Awareness of Amblyopia Among the Adult Population of the Al-Baha Region, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND

Amblyopia results from abnormal visual development, leading to reduced vision. Early recognition of the disease can facilitate early treatment and increase the chances of recovering visual acuity. Despite its prevalence and treatable nature, there is a concerning lack of awareness about amblyopia among the general population in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to assess amblyopia awareness among adults in the Al-Baha region of Saudi Arabia.

METHODOLOGY

A cross-sectional study was conducted among the general population of the Al-Baha region in Saudi Arabia from August 10, 2024, to October 1, 2024. Exclusion criteria included individuals who were not residents of the specified area and those under 18 years of age. Data were collected using a validated electronic questionnaire that covered sociodemographic information and characteristics of amblyopia.

RESULTS

A total of 400 individuals participated, exceeding the target sample size of 384. Participants' ages ranged from 18 to over 50 years, with the majority being 18-29 years (245 participants, 61.3%). Females comprised the largest group, accounting for 246 (61.5%) of the participants. The majority of participants demonstrated a low level of knowledge regarding the concept of amblyopia. There was no significant association between various sociodemographic characteristics and the level of knowledge, except for participants with a family history of eye diseases. Interestingly, participants without a family history of eye diseases exhibited a higher level of knowledge than those with a family history (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

The majority of participants exhibited a low level of knowledge about amblyopia, highlighting the need for increased public awareness campaigns about amblyopia in the Al-Baha region of Saudi Arabia.