Awareness of ocular red flags and emergencies among the population of Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background and Aims: Ocular red flags refer to symptoms that signal ophthalmic emergencies requiring immediate intervention. Failure to recognize these signs early can result in delayed treatment, leading to severe complications and potential visual loss. This study aims to assess the level of knowledge regarding ocular red flags among the population of Saudi Arabia, identify contributing sociodemographic factors, and propose strategies to improve public awareness. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 2,212 randomly selected participants residing in the five main regions of Saudi Arabia: north, south, east, west, and central. Data collection was performed using an online questionnaire following approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Both male and female participants were included, and data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results: The findings revealed varying levels of awareness regarding ocular emergencies. The most commonly recognized conditions were red eye (44.3%), ocular foreign body (42%), and chemical burns (42.2%). Awareness was lower for central retinal artery occlusion (34%), keratitis (29%), and acute angle-closure glaucoma (29%). Critically low awareness levels were observed for conditions such as temporal arteritis, uveitis, scleritis, retinal detachment, preseptal/orbital cellulitis, and cranial nerve palsies. Statistically significant associations were found between awareness levels and sociodemographic factors including gender, age, residency, marital status, occupation, and history of ocular disease (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: The study demonstrates a critically low awareness of ocular red flag symptoms across all regions of Saudi Arabia. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted health campaigns to prevent delays in care and reduce the risk of avoidable vision loss.

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