The Prevalence of Ophthalmic Symptoms Among Adults in King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences: Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract Background Eye diseases are prevalent conditions around the world. More than 2 billion individuals globally have visual impairment. However, reducing the worldwide burden of eye disorders requires increased public awareness of prevalent eye diseases. Objective This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of ophthalmic symptoms and associated factors among adults studying or working at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among adults studying or working at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected on ophthalmic symptoms experienced within the past 30 days, along with demographic characteristics and other relevant factors. Statistical analyses were performed to determine the prevalence of these symptoms and to identify associated factors. Results The presence of at least 1 ophthalmic symptom was reported by 73.9% (184/249) of the respondents. The most prevalent symptoms included stinging eyes (76/249, 30.5%) and eye pain (71/249, 28.5%). Female participants reported a significantly higher prevalence of several symptoms, including stinging eyes, bloodshot eyes, swelling around the eyes, dark spots in the central field of view, foreign body sensation, and near vision difficulty. Multivariable analysis revealed that sex and the use of eye lubricants were the most significant predictors of ophthalmic symptoms (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.73, 95% CI 2.02‐6.87; P <.001). Specifically, female participants had 3 times the odds of experiencing at least 1 ophthalmic symptom compared with male participants. Additionally, participants who used eye lubricants were 70% less likely to report ophthalmic symptoms (AOR 0.31, 95% CI 0.15‐0.6; P <.001). Conclusions Ophthalmic symptoms are highly prevalent among adults in Saudi Arabia. Sex and the use of eye lubricants are key factors associated with these symptoms. These findings underscore the need for increased awareness, targeted interventions, and the promotion of eye lubricant use to reduce the burden of ophthalmic symptoms in this population.