AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF AWARENESS ABOUT CATARACTS AND VISUAL IMPAIRMENT AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Cataract is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. This study aimed to assess and compare the awareness levels about cataracts leading to visual impairment between health sciences and non-health sciences university students. A comparative cross-sectional study design was conducted on 432 participants aged 19 to 27 (mean 22.75 ± 1.90), with an equal number of 216 participants from health sciences and non-health sciences students. The data was collected using a questionnaire through an online platform (Google Form). Most respondents (81.5%) had heard about cataracts and knew that cataract incidence increases with age. Most respondents (72.2%) were aware that radiation risks cataracts. 20.1% of the respondents did not aware that cataract surgery is free in government hospitals for certain circumstances. Cataract awareness was statistically higher among health sciences students (1.73 ± 0.13) compared to non-health sciences students (1.52 ± 0.16), t(430) = 13.68, p = 0.001. More than half of the respondents were aware of cataracts and their risk factors, but some still did not know about government hospitals’ free cataract surgery service. High awareness among university students will undoubtedly benefit them and raise awareness of those around them, including their families.