Knowledge and Awareness Regarding Amblyopia Among Parents in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Othman J AlJarallah1, Mohammed S AlFehaid2, Aseel A Alnadawi3
1Surgery, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, SAU.
Insights
Parental awareness of amblyopia, a vision disorder affecting children, remains low in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Educational initiatives are crucial to improve early detection and intervention for lazy eye (amblyopia).
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Amblyopia, or lazy eye, is a developmental vision disorder affecting 1.75% of children worldwide, leading to permanent vision loss if untreated.
- Early detection and intervention are critical for amblyopia, which typically manifests between birth and seven years of age.
- Parental knowledge significantly impacts the timely diagnosis and management of amblyopia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess parental knowledge and awareness of amblyopia among parents in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- To identify gaps in understanding regarding amblyopia causes, detection, and treatment timelines.
- To inform the development of targeted educational strategies for parents and healthcare providers.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 417 parents in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Data collection via an online questionnaire distributed through social media platforms.
- Statistical analysis using IBM SPSS version 29 to evaluate awareness levels and influencing factors.
Main Results:
- Only 51.3% of parents recognized amblyopia as 'lazy eye', with limited understanding of its causes (genetic factors, refractive errors) and critical treatment window (before age 10).
- The internet and doctors were primary information sources, but significant knowledge gaps persist.
- Parental awareness was significantly influenced by sociodemographic factors like education, gender, family history, and having a child with a diagnosed lazy eye.
Conclusions:
- Parental awareness of amblyopia in Riyadh is insufficient, highlighting a need for improved public health education.
- Targeted educational initiatives are essential to enhance understanding of amblyopia, its early signs, and the importance of timely intervention.
- Effective communication strategies are needed for healthcare professionals to better inform parents about managing lazy eye and preventing long-term visual impairment.
Abstract:
Introduction Amblyopia is an abnormal development of usually one eye, leading to permanent decreased vision in the affected eye if not treated early. The condition is primarily caused by strabismus, cataract, anisometropic refractive error, or genetic factors and can manifest from birth to seven years of age, with a worldwide prevalence of 1.75%. This study examines parental knowledge of amblyopia in an effort to improve its early detection and intervention. Improving awareness can have a direct impact by lowering the incidence of untreated amblyopia and its related visual impairment. This study can also help healthcare professionals understand how to communicate with parents about amblyopia more effectively. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study included 417 parent participants from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, selected through random sampling while ensuring representation from various governorates. The data was collected using an online questionnaire distributed by different social media platforms (Twitter, WhatsApp, and Telegram) to the parents of all governorates, and the sample was selected randomly. It was meticulously cleaned using Excel and analyzed with IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results Our results showed a predominant understanding of amblyopia as "poor vision in one or both eyes" (19.1%) as well as the role of eye movement or brain-eye coordination in the condition. Only 51.3% of parents were aware of lazy eye. Notably, the internet and doctors were the primary sources of information about amblyopia. Only 8.9% of the participants were aware that amblyopia cannot be treated after 10 years of age. Understanding the causes of amblyopia mainly included genetic factors and refractive errors. Sociodemographic factors such as gender, educational level, family history of eye disease, and having a child with a lazy eye significantly influenced the parents' awareness levels of amblyopia. Conclusion Our study underscores the need for targeted educational initiatives to improve the knowledge and awareness of amblyopia among parents in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. By addressing misconceptions, enhancing access to accurate information, and fostering a deeper understanding of amblyopia and its management, we can work toward ensuring timely diagnosis and appropriate interventions, ultimately reducing the prevalence and impact of amblyopia in the community.
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