Keratoconus is a progressive corneal ectasia that results in substantial visual impairment and imposes a significant functional and psychosocial burden on affected individuals. Despite evidence suggesting earlier onset and a potentially more aggressive disease course of keratoconus in Saudi populations, there is a significant lack of region-specific data evaluating vision-related quality of life (VRQoL) in Riyadh. This cross-sectional study conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, evaluated VRQoL in individuals with keratoconus using the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25). Data were obtained from January to March 2025 through an online, structured, self-administered questionnaire. A total of 1007 participants were included, of whom 299 (29.7%) reported a diagnosis of keratoconus. The mean composite NEI-VFQ-25 score among participants with keratoconus was 61.0 ± 15.8, reflecting moderate impairment in VRQoL. Reduced VRQoL was significantly associated with eye-rubbing behavior, including both frequency (p = 0.027) and method (p = 0.026). The results highlight the importance of early detection and the relevance of eye-rubbing behavior in relation to reduced VRQoL, while supporting the need for longitudinal research to further clarify these associations.

Background: Eye diseases are prevalent conditions around the world. More than 2 billion individuals globally have visual impairment. However, reducing the worldwide burden of eye disorders requires increased public awareness of prevalent eye diseases. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of ophthalmic symptoms and associated factors among adults studying or working at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adults studying or working at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected on ophthalmic symptoms experienced within the past 30 days, along with demographic characteristics and other relevant factors. Statistical analyses were performed to determine the prevalence of these symptoms and to identify associated factors. Results: The presence of at least 1 ophthalmic symptom was reported by 73.9% (184/249) of the respondents. The most prevalent symptoms included stinging eyes (76/249, 30.5%) and eye pain (71/249, 28.5%). Female participants reported a significantly higher prevalence of several symptoms, including stinging eyes, bloodshot eyes, swelling around the eyes, dark spots in the central field of view, foreign body sensation, and near vision difficulty. Multivariable analysis revealed that sex and the use of eye lubricants were the most significant predictors of ophthalmic symptoms (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.73, 95% CI 2.02‐6.87; P <.001). Specifically, female participants had 3 times the odds of experiencing at least 1 ophthalmic symptom compared with male participants. Additionally, participants who used eye lubricants were 70% less likely to report ophthalmic symptoms (AOR 0.31, 95% CI 0.15‐0.6; P <.001). Conclusions: Ophthalmic symptoms are highly prevalent among adults in Saudi Arabia. Sex and the use of eye lubricants are key factors associated with these symptoms. These findings underscore the need for increased awareness, targeted interventions, and the promotion of eye lubricant use to reduce the burden of ophthalmic symptoms in this population.