Knowledge, Attitude and Practices towards Common Adult Eye Disorders Among Over 40-Years Patients Attending to Medical and Surgical Clinics of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka.

Background: Incidence of age related eye disorders in adult population is rising. Thus in order to carry out health promotion activities, assessing the knowledge, attitudes, practices and factors related to each among the vulnerable population is paramount. Methods: A simple random sample of patients of age 40 or above attended to the general medical and surgical clinics of the NHSL were interviewed by interviewer administered questionnaire. Questions were asked to ascertain each participant's socio-demographic data, knowledge on common age related eye disorders namely refractory errors, cataract, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Questions were also asked to determine their attitudes to eye care practices and treatments. All respondents were asked their frequency of eye check-ups and most commonly attending place to receive eye check-ups. Results: A total of 106 participants were assessed. From the results 96.2%, heard of cataract, 50.9% heard of glaucoma and 74.5% heard of diabetic retinopathy. In the knowledge assessment 43.6% were found to be having a good knowledge. Age (within 40 to 58 years), higher level of education up to G.C.E O/L or above, higher level of income and who are/were employed ( currently working, resigned or retired) appeared to be having a good knowledge and the associations were statistically significant. People who have accessed information from medical personnel and mass media also had statistically significant higher knowledge score. People with good knowledge of eye diseases had positive attitudes and positive practices in contrast to people with poor knowledge and these associations were statistically significant. Conclusions : There was a considerable reduction in awareness regarding glaucoma compared to cataract and diabetic retinopathy. Younger age, higher education level, income and employment were found to be associated with good knowledge. Presence of good knowledge has led to have good attitudes and good eye care practices. Information gained from medical personnel and mass media were found to be effective in enhancing public awareness. Recommendations : Knowledge on common adult eye disorders should be improved from the current level in order to have good eye care practices. Enhancing public awareness can be successfully achieved through mass media and medical personnel. Key words : Eye disorders, Knowledge, Attitude, Ophthalmology