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Prioritizing Pediatric Eye Care in Saudi Arabia: A National Delphi Consensus Study
Mansour A Alghamdi1, Ali Almustanyir1, Abdulmalik A Alshuimi1
1Optometry Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
This study identified key barriers to pediatric eye care in Saudi Arabia, recommending mandatory vision screening and integrated optometry services. These strategies aim to improve early detection and reduce childhood vision impairment.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Childhood eye disorders like refractive errors, strabismus, and amblyopia are common but often missed in Saudi Arabia.
- Lack of data on barriers to pediatric eye care impedes service improvement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify barriers to accessing pediatric eye care in Saudi Arabia.
- To develop consensus-based strategies for enhancing pediatric eye care services.
Main Methods:
- A three-round Delphi technique was used with 22 Saudi eye care experts.
- 30 statements were developed from literature review and expert responses.
- Consensus was defined as ≥80% agreement, with descriptive statistics applied.
Main Results:
- 25 out of 30 statements (83.3%) reached consensus, indicating strong expert agreement.
- High-priority recommendations include mandatory vision screening and integrating optometrists into primary healthcare.
- Establishing specialized pediatric eye care centers and expanding mobile clinics were also recommended.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first national consensus on pediatric eye care in Saudi Arabia.
- Actionable recommendations are offered to strengthen services, guide policy, and improve workforce development.
- The findings aim to reduce childhood visual impairment through early detection and intervention.
Abstract:
Background/Objectives: Childhood eye disorders, including refractive errors, strabismus, and amblyopia, are prevalent yet often underdiagnosed in Saudi Arabia. Limited data on barriers to pediatric eye care hinder efforts to optimize service delivery. This study aimed to identify barriers to accessing pediatric eye care and to develop consensus-based strategies for improvement. Methods: A Delphi technique involving three iterative rounds of questionnaires was conducted with a panel of 22 eye care experts across Saudi Arabia. Consensus was defined as ≥80% agreement among participants. In total, 30 statements were developed from thematic analysis of open-ended responses and a supporting literature review. Panelists rated each statement on a five-point Likert scale, and descriptive statistics were applied. Internal consistency across rounds was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Results: Of the 30 proposed statements, 25 (83.3%) reached consensus, with a mean agreement score of 4.45 ± 0.59. Internal consistency was high (Cronbach's alpha = 0.92). High-priority recommendations included implementing mandatory vision screening, integrating optometrists into primary healthcare, and establishing specialized pediatric eye care centers. Other recommendations emphasized expanding mobile clinics and increasing public awareness. Areas that did not reach consensus included referral inefficiencies, adequacy of the current workforce, and school accommodations for children with visual impairment. Conclusions: This study presents the first national consensus on pediatric eye care in Saudi Arabia and provides actionable recommendations to strengthen services. The findings offer a strategic framework to guide policy, enhance workforce development, and reduce childhood visual impairment through early detection and intervention.
