The Level of Keratoconus Awareness among the Saudi Population in Riyadh

Abstract

Aims: This study aims to reveal misconceptions about keratoconus, to assess the level of knowledge among Saudi nationals and to compare the level of awareness of keratoconus between affected and unaffected individuals. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted through an online survey on a study population that consisted of Saudi nationals over the age of 18 from November until December 2020 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to assess the level of knowledge of keratoconus among the Saudi population. Results: Three hundred and ten responses were obtained, the age range of the participants was between 18 to 50 years oldof which 182 were females and 128 were males. Thirty percent of participants stated that they had acquired their knowledge of keratoconus from the internet, while 29% stated that they had no knowledge of keratoconus at all. The majority of the sample (38.4%) had a high level of knowledge about keratoconus, 31.3% had a moderate level of knowledge and 30.3% had a low level of knowledge. A significant correlation between the level of knowledge and the diagnosis of keratoconus was found, in which keratoconus patients had a higher level of knowledge (44.2%) (p value < .05). Moreover, males (60.1%) had a higher level of awareness compared to females (23.1%) (p value < .05). Age had no significant effect on the level of knowledge (p value > .05). Conclusion: The level of knowledge about keratoconus among the Saudi population in Riyadh is moderate to high. Keratoconus patients had a higher level of knowledge compared to unaffected participants. We recommend further assessment of the level of knowledge about keratoconus with a larger sample size in different provinces of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.