The Patients' Perspective for the Impact of Late Detection of Ocular Diseases on Quality of Life: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Late detection of ocular diseases negatively affects patients' quality of life (QoL), encompassing health status, psychological, financial, and social aspects. However, the early detection of eye conditions leads to rapid intervention and avoiding complications, thus preserving the QoL. This study assessed the impact of ocular diseases late detection on patients' QoL at multi-eye clinics based on questionnaire responses. Methods: We developed an original Arabic-English questionnaire to assess the QoL of patients with ocular diseases referred from primary and secondary healthcare centers to tertiary hospitals. It covered preliminary data, patient perspectives on having lately detected ocular disease and treatment costs, and the impact of late detection on finances, social life, psychology, health status, and awareness of current initiatives. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the associations between patient perspectives on having ocular diseases detected at a late stage and its impact on different domains. Multivariate logistic regression was applied with impact types of health status, psychological, financial, and social (dependent variables) and age, income levels, and hospital type (independent variables). Results: Three hundred and eighty-eight responded, with 50% experiencing psychological effects, 27% health issues, 23% social impacts, and 23% financial burdens. Two hundred seventeen patients (56%) reported having ocular condition detected in late stage. Logistic regression analysis showed positive association with health status, social well-being, and financial effects (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed pronounced effects in patients ≤ 50 years, with income \< 5000 SAR, and those visiting private clinics (p < 0.05). The social impact was greater in patients visiting private hospitals. Ninety percent of all patients emphasized the importance of increasing awareness for better QoL. Conclusion: Significant associations were found between the late detection of eye diseases and their impact on QoL. Therefore, early detection and increasing patients' awareness of ocular diseases and treatment are essential.

The prevalence of strabismus and visual outcomes in children with hydrocephalus and a ventriculoperitoneal shunt: medical record review.

BACKGROUND: Many ophthalmological complications have been associated with hydrocephalus (HC), including ocular motility disorders, visual field defects, optic atrophy, and loss of visual acuity. No studies have investigated the prevalence of strabismus and visual outcomes of children with congenital HC after ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt in Saudi Arabia. OBJECTIVES: Estimate the frequency of strabismic children diagnosed with HC who underwent a VP shunt procedure. DESIGN: Medical record review SETTING: Tertiary care center PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the files of all pediatric patients diagnosed with hydrocephalus before the age of 2 years and treated with shunts during the period 2010 to 2020 at our institution. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Strabismus types and ophthalmic assessment (visual state, outcomes, and ocular motility state). SAMPLE SIZE AND CHARACTERISTICS: 190 children; 98 (51.5%) males. RESULTS: Eighty-nine (46.8%) had congenital HC followed by intraventricular hemorrhage 36 (18.9%); 74 (38.9%) patients had regular follow-ups in ophthalmology. Sixty-five (34.2%) patients had no ophthalmic assessment or fundus examination records, while 63 (33.1%) were diagnosed with strabismus. At the initial assessment, 26 (13.6%) patients had exotropia (XT). At the final assessment, 7 (3.6%) patients had XT. The association between VP shunt and strabismus was statistically significant, (χ2=6.534, df=1, P<.01). CONCLUSION: More than one-third of children diagnosed with HC who had surgical treatment in a tertiary hospital did not have any records of ophthalmic assessment, which highlights the need to implement a specific ophthalmological examination protocol in patients with HC. Further studies are needed to analyze the association between VP shunt and strabismus. LIMITATIONS: Evaluating the ocular state and visual function before and after VP shunt was not possible. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

The prevalence and predictors of refractive error among school children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

PURPOSE: Refractive error (RE) is one of the most common ocular disorders among children worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of RE and possible risk factors among school children in Riyadh. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study using data collected at various schools. To achieve the aim of the study, we selected a random sample of 850 school children aged 6-15 years. The examination was based on the RESC protocol and included full visual assessment. Furthermore, a questionnaire was sent to the parents of the participants to ascertain information about lifestyle factors. We constructed a logistic regression model to evaluate the predictors of RE. RESULTS: Close to a third of the children had a RE. Of those identified as having the condition, 60% did not wear glasses (newly diagnosed). Nearly all the children (95.4%) in our sample reported using electronic devices, according to parents. No association was found between using electronic devices and having a RE (P = 0.26). Doing outdoor activities was associated with 52% lower odds of a RE (odds ratio = 1.52). CONCLUSION: We found a higher prevalence of uncorrected RE than previously reported in other Saudi studies. About 60% of children who had RE were not wearing glasses, highlighting the need for a standardized school screening program for early detection and management. Outdoor activities were associated with a lower likelihood of having a RE. These findings might support initiatives to encourage outdoor activities among school children.