Abstract
Background: There has been an apparent increase in allergy disorders in recent decades, with a significant percentage of the world's population suffering from ocular allergies. A sufficient level of public education and awareness regarding ocular allergies may aid in minimizing the sickness burden. Ocular allergies, or allergic conjunctivitis, is an inflammatory reaction of the surface of the eye to particles (allergens) in the environment and one of the most common ocular surface diseases in primary eye care.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data were collected by the purposely constructed questionnaire. A questionnaire composed of the demographic items and items related to the awareness and knowledge about the Ocular Allergy. A questionnaire was constructed after the series of discussions between the panel of experts this panel was composed of a subject specialist, researcher, language expert. Cronbach alpha of the questionnaire was calculated. The study was conducted in the Aseer region of Saudi Arabia.
Results: 51.2% agreed that Inflammation of the eye is harmless foreign substance while majority believe that itching is the major symptoms for allergy,58.7% do not agreed that it is transferable disease from man to man.
Conclusion: The general level of awareness among university students is poor. Students' awareness of ocular allergies was influenced by their academic programs. Students should be taught about ocular allergy prevention and control, as well as the difficulties that come with it, through public health efforts.