# Knowledge and Awareness of Glaucoma Among Medical Students in Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia

## TL;DR

This study found that while most medical students in Saudi Arabia know about glaucoma, many lack understanding of its asymptomatic nature and treatment options.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into glaucoma knowledge gaps among Saudi medical students and identifies factors associated with better understanding.

## Key findings

- Only 12% of students had undergone glaucoma screening, and 53% incorrectly believed glaucoma-induced blindness is reversible.
- Most students (86%) had heard of glaucoma, but only 42% understood it can be asymptomatic.
- Good knowledge was found in 54.9% of students, with older age and proper information sources linked to better understanding.

## Abstract

Background

Glaucoma is one of the causes of irreversible blindness. Early diagnosis and intervention are critical due to the disease's asymptomatic nature in its early stages. As future healthcare professionals, medical students are pivotal in public awareness and education. This study aimed to assess the glaucoma knowledge level among King Khalid University medical students.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students at King Khalid University between March and May 2025. A sample size of 385 was calculated using Richard Geiger’s formula with an estimated proportion of 50%. Four hundred eighty-one students responded to a self-administered, Arabic questionnaire distributed via Google Forms (Google, Mountain View, CA, US). The tool was adopted from the literature, validated, and piloted for clarity. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, US).

Results

Among the 481 participants, 275 (57%) were female, with a median age of 22 years. Most respondents, 416 (86%), had heard of glaucoma, and 455 (95%) acknowledged the necessity for early treatment. Only 58 (12%) had previously undergone glaucoma screening. Four hundred and four (91.5%) believed that glaucoma can lead to blindness, although 253 (53%) incorrectly believed that glaucoma-induced blindness is reversible. Awareness of risk factors varied: 425 (88%) identified diabetes and hypertension, 452 (94%) recognized age > 60 years, and 252 (52%) acknowledged the hereditary nature of the disease. Symptoms such as headache (448 (93%)) and blurred vision (448 (93%)) were commonly known, but only 200 (42%) understood that glaucoma can be asymptomatic. Only 157 (33%) correctly identified optic nerve damage as the cause. Overall, 217 (54.9%) of students demonstrated good knowledge. Higher knowledge levels were significantly associated with older age (p < 0.001), source of information (p < 0.001), and intention to seek immediate medical attention for eye problems (p = 0.047). No significant association was found between gender and knowledge level (p = 0.6).

Conclusion

Although most students were aware of glaucoma and its major consequences, significant gaps exist in understanding its asymptomatic nature, causes, and treatment modalities. Educational interventions are needed to strengthen glaucoma knowledge among future healthcare professionals in Saudi Arabia.