Almutairi Nawaf M, Alharbi Abdulaziz, Alharbi Abdulelah, Alnawmasi Mohammed M
Department of Optometry, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia.
Healthcare (Basel). 2025 Jul 4;13(13):1609. doi: 10.3390/healthcare13131609.
Traumatic brain injury frequently leads to visual dysfunction, affecting up to 75% of patients. These visual issues, if unrecognized, can significantly impair daily functioning. Optometrists are well-positioned to identify and manage such conditions, yet their level of preparedness is not well understood. : This study aimed to assess optometrists' knowledge, awareness, and management practices regarding TBI-related visual disorders in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional survey was distributed online to 411 licensed optometrists in Saudi Arabia. The 16-item questionnaire assessed demographics, awareness, confidence, knowledge, and management practices related to TBI-associated visual disorders. Only 26.3% of the respondents reported receiving formal education on TBI-related visual disorders. While most recognized common symptoms, such as blurred vision and light sensitivity, comprehensive knowledge of complex visual disorders was limited. A majority (82.5%) recommended referral to other healthcare providers; however, only 16.8% demonstrated high management competency, and 31.5% fell into the low-competency category. Referral patterns and clinical decision-making were significantly associated with experience and formal training. The findings reveal notable gaps in optometrists' knowledge and preparedness to manage TBI-related visual dysfunctions. Structured educational initiatives and standardized clinical protocols are essential to improve optometric care for individuals with TBI.
创伤性脑损伤经常导致视觉功能障碍，影响多达75%的患者。这些视觉问题如果未被识别，会严重损害日常功能。验光师有能力识别和处理此类情况，但其准备程度尚不清楚。本研究旨在评估沙特阿拉伯验光师对与创伤性脑损伤相关的视觉障碍的知识、意识和管理实践。对沙特阿拉伯411名持牌验光师进行了在线横断面调查。这份包含16个条目的问卷评估了与创伤性脑损伤相关视觉障碍的人口统计学、意识、信心、知识和管理实践。只有26.3%的受访者报告接受过与创伤性脑损伤相关视觉障碍的正规教育。虽然大多数人认识到常见症状，如视力模糊和对光敏感，但对复杂视觉障碍的全面了解有限。大多数人（82.5%）建议转诊给其他医疗服务提供者；然而，只有16.8%的人表现出高管理能力，31.5%的人属于低能力类别。转诊模式和临床决策与经验和正规培训显著相关。研究结果揭示了验光师在管理与创伤性脑损伤相关的视觉功能障碍方面的知识和准备存在明显差距。结构化教育举措和标准化临床方案对于改善对创伤性脑损伤患者的验光护理至关重要。
