Prevalence of cataract, climatic droplet keratopathy and eyelid diseases among fishermen in Jazan in Saudi Arabia, and the association of risk factors

The fishermen in the coastal region of Jazan are subjected to long working hours in the sun where the risk for cataract, climatic droplet keratopathy (CDK) and Eyelid diseases due to solar radiation are high. The objective of this study to determine the prevalence of anterior segment eye disorders, specifically cataract, CDK and eyelid diseases among fishermen in Jazan and examination of its association with the sociodemographic and occupational among fishermen in Jazan. This study employed a cross-sectional design conducted in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. A total of 511 fishermen were included in the study. All the respondents were interviewed using a questionnaire and subsequently undergone an eye examination. The prevalence of the cataract was found to be 3.3 %, CDK, 0.4 % and the eyelid diseases affecting 3.2 % of the respondents. A significant association was seen between the prevalence of anterior segment eye disorders (p<0.05). Overall, CDK for fishermen with less than five days of work per week was found to be 75 % while for fishermen with more than five days of work per week the CDK was found to be 25 %. The overall eyelid disease on the other hand was found in all the respondents with over five days of work per week. The overall cataract for the same group of fishermen was however 64.7 % while for fishermen with less than five days of work per week it was found to be 35.3 %. Knowledge and awareness training as well as future research are warranted to assess the health implications of fishermen in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. It is imperative for all involved to take notice of such implications on health with the government implementing regulatory frameworks that can aid these fishermen. Future research is also recommended.

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