Volume 27, Issue 132, February 2023

Preference and attitude towards refractive errors correction methods among Qassim University students

Abdulmajeed Alharbi¹, Norah Motlg Alharbi², Faisal Fahad Almishali², Shoug Saleh Alnasyan², Tariq Ayed Alrashidi², Khozama Badr Alaql², Mansourah Fayez Bedaiwi², Asma Abdullah Alsohaibani²

¹Assistant professor, Department of ophthalmology, College of medicine, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia
²College of Medicine, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

Background: The prevalence of refractive error is considered to be a significant health issue. It can lead to lifelong negative consequences such as unstable emotional developments and poor academic performance. It can also affect people's quality of life. This research aims to assess the knowledge and preference towards refractive error correction methods among the students at Qassim University. Methodology: The study is cross-sectional, online questionnaire-based study. Sample was collected from Qassim University students in Qassim region in Saudi Arabia. Data was collected from the online questionnaire platform. Questionnaire was designed by Google forms. Data was collected in excel sheet then was transferred into SPSS software for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 1310 students responded to the survey tool. 861 of the participants had refractive error, 722 of them had myopia and spectacles were the most preferred method of correction (72.3%). Refractive surgery was known to 660 of the participants and 454 of them were willing to undergo it. Fear of complications is the most common reason for not having the procedure (57.1%). Conclusion: Refractive surgery is a frequently performed procedure, but knowledge about the complications of this procedure is poor among students at Qassim University. We recommend that refractive surgical methods be introduced by physicians in order to educate students on the safety and effectiveness of this procedure.

Keywords: Refractive errors correction, preference and attitude, Spectacles, World health organization

Medical Science, 2023, 27, e106ms2874

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi/v27i132/e106ms2874

Published: 22 February 2023