Self-Reported Red Eye Among Saudi Adults: Symptom Profile, Self-Management Practices, and Associated Factors
TL;DR
Red eye was commonly recognised but usually infrequent, brief, and minimally disabling, as the outcome was a single unvalidated self-report item not bounded in time, these findings describe reported symptom burden rather than confirmed disease.
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Red eye is a common ocular complaint, yet population data from Saudi Arabia are limited and largely confined to specific diagnostic entities. This study assessed the proportion of adults reporting red eye and described its clinical characteristics, perceived triggers, management practices, and associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between November 2025 and March 2026 among adults aged 18 years or older in Saudi Arabia, recruited by convenience sampling through social media. A structured self-administered questionnaire captured sociodemographic, systemic, ocular, and lifestyle characteristics and, among affected participants, symptom profile, triggers, and management. The outcome was ascertained with a single screening item, accompanied by a photograph to aid recognition, asking whether participants currently had, or had previously had, red eye. Multivariable logistic regression identified independently associated factors (p < 0.05). Results: Of 1670 responses, 1627 were analysed after exclusion of duplicates and implausible anthropometric entries. Current or previous red eye was reported by 474 participants (29.1%; 95% CI: 26.9–31.4). Most reported no or only slight effect on daily life (85.4%), and 76.8% of episodes resolved within 48 h. Independently associated factors were male sex (aOR = 1.76; 95% CI: 1.23–2.52; p = 0.002), cosmetic use around the eyes (aOR = 1.74; 95% CI: 1.20–2.53; p = 0.003), allergic rhinitis or sinusitis (aOR = 1.86; 95% CI: 1.38–2.52; p < 0.001), hypertension (aOR = 1.74; 95% CI: 1.04–2.91; p = 0.035), chronic anxiety disorder (aOR = 1.67; 95% CI: 1.09–2.55; p = 0.018), and higher education. Physical activity showed a graded inverse association (aOR = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.41–0.81 for the highest category). Only 27.6% consulted a physician, and 13.3% used whitening eye drops. Conclusions: Red eye was commonly recognised but usually infrequent, brief, and minimally disabling. As the outcome was a single unvalidated self-report item not bounded in time, these findings describe reported symptom burden rather than confirmed disease.