Knowledge and Attitude to Eye Disorders among pediatricians in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Pediatric eye disease can affect any part of the eye and potentially lead to a permanent eye injury. The study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes of pediatricians in Saudi Arabia towards common eye conditions in children. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire, distributed online and in hard copy, measured responses from 105 participants using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for analysis. Participants had a mean age of 32 ± 9.0 years and a mean practice experience of 6 ± 6.8 years, with 59% being female and 56.2% pediatric residents. Results: The causes of a red painful eye were identified, with glaucoma (96.5%), conjunctivitis (95.2%), corneal abrasions/trauma (93.3%), and uveitis (89.5%) being most commonly reported. Leukocoria was recognized as sight-threatening by 89.5% and life-threatening by 88.6% of participants. Causes of strabismus, including central causes (89.5%) and amblyopia (88.6%), were acknowledged. Signs of congenital glaucoma, such as a large cornea (88.6%), hazy cornea (86.7%), and excessive tearing (76.2%), were well-identified. Approximately 70.5% of participants conducted eye examinations for children, citing a lack of equipment as the main obstacle. For retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening, 59% would refer premature babies at 4-6 weeks or 32 weeks. Immediate referral to an ophthalmologist for painful red eyes was endorsed by 82%, while 9.5% suggested eye drops. A high percentage (92.4%) would promptly refer cases of strabismus to an ophthalmologist. Conclusion: In conclusion, pediatricians exhibited good knowledge of common eye disorders but demonstrated a need for improved understanding of retinopathy of prematurity and the importance of regular eye examinations. Initiatives like workshops and educational programs are recommended for enhancing knowledge in pediatric eye diseases.