Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the association of ocular surface symptoms, demographic factors, depression, and health anxiety with patient satisfaction after refractive surgery.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Saudi Arabia. A convenience sampling technique was used to recruit 509 participants, of whom 170 had undergone refractive surgery. Data collection was conducted online through social media platforms. Validated questionnaires, specifically Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), were used to assess ocular surface health, depression, and health anxiety.
Results: The majority (92.9%) of refractive surgery patients were satisfied with the results, while 7.1% reported being dissatisfied. Age was significantly associated with surgery satisfaction, with younger patients being more satisfied (p < 0.01). Smoking was also a significant factor, with patients who had never smoked being more satisfied (p < 0.01). The type of refractive surgery was significantly associated with patient satisfaction, with Femto-Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) and LASIK surgery patients being most satisfied. OSDI, health anxiety, and depression were not significantly associated with satisfaction.
Conclusion: This study found the overall refractive surgery satisfaction to be high, while about half the participants acknowledged that eye dryness, anxiety regarding eye health, and depression could influence satisfaction. Younger age, non-smoker status, and the procedure type were significant determinants of satisfaction. These findings emphasized the importance of patient education regarding initial symptoms and encouraged the establishment of procedure-specific aftercare.

Key words: Eye dryness, LASIK, depression, health anxiety, Saudi Arabia