Parental Awareness and Practices Regarding Children's Eye Health

Purpose. This study investigates parental awareness and practices regarding children's eye health in Albania, focusing on demographic characteristics, eye health awareness, usage of glasses/contact lenses, eye health information and practices, screen time, and access to information. Material and Methods. Data were collected from 100 parents of children aged 0-18 attending Aldent University staff and Uzllova Tirana Eye Clinic using a structured questionnaire administered over a two-week period in September 2020. Quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques, including crosstab and Chi-square tests, were employed. Results. The results reveal significant associations between parental demographics and eye health practices, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to improve parental awareness and practices concerning children's eye health. Despite recognizing the importance of eye health, a significant proportion of parents reported inadequate knowledge regarding pediatric eye conditions and recommended screening practices. In particular, only 15% of children wear glasses, despite the fact that a significant proportion of children have refractive errors: myopia (32%), followed by hyperopia (11%) and astigmatism (3%). Nearly half of the children (49%) spend a lot of time on electronic devices: 53% spend 1-2 hours, 42% - 3-6 hours, and 5% - over 6 hours per day. The study underscores the necessity of enhancing education and intervention programs to improve pediatric eye care and promote early detection and management of vision issues. Effective pediatric eye care requires active engagement from parents and caregivers, emphasizing the importance of increasing parental awareness and promoting regular eye examinations. Conclusion. Targeted educational interventions and collaborative efforts among healthcare providers, educators, and policymakers are crucial for improving pediatric eye health outcomes in Albania.