Knowledge and Awareness of the Public toward Pediatric Eye Health and Diseases in Aseer region, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Population Study

Abstract

Pediatric ophthalmic conditions are a common and a serious public health problem, as they can not only impact the child’s ability to learn, have a normal social life, and get a better quality of life, but they can also lead to complete blindness or visual impairment. Early intervention is necessary for childhood eye diseases since they can result in ongoing issues. The underlying causes of blindness in children differ significantly from region to region, depending on some factors, including socioeconomic development and access to primary healthcare services and facilities. However, it is estimated that there are over 19 million people globally with visual impairments and that there are roughly 1.4 million cases of blindness. As a result, the purpose of this study is to assess the parents’ and caregivers’ awareness in Aseer, Saudi Arabia, about various common pediatric ophthalmic diseases, including strabismus, amblyopia, refractive errors, and congenital glaucoma. By identifying the gap in knowledge and awareness, this could help create targeted educational and awareness programs geared toward the parents and the public of Aseer, Saudi Arabia, which could help prevent or reduce the prevalence of pediatric ophthalmic conditions, and boost the children’s eye health. Key words: knowledge, awareness, paediatric eye health, eye diseases, Aseer, Saudi Arabia