Prevalence, Severity, and Functional Disability of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Ophthalmologists in Saudi Arabia: A National Cross-Sectional Survey.
5 affiliations
- 1Ophthalmology Department, King Khalid Eye Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- 2College of Medicine, AlFaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- 3Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Department, King Khalid Eye Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- 4College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Alahsa, Saudi Arabia.
- 5Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Research Institute, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
Abstract
Ophthalmology is a clinical and surgical specialty with high physical demands. Despite advancements in ophthalmic equipment, improper ergonomic practices contribute to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), affecting practitioners' performance and productivity. This study investigated the prevalence, severity, and functional disability of WMSDs among ophthalmologists in Saudi Arabia using the Total Disability Index (TDI) and examining associations between disability severity and task-related difficulty. A national cross-sectional survey included 280 ophthalmologists practicing in Saudi Arabia, recruited through institutional and professional channels and convenience-based dissemination. Data were collected from Jan-Apr 2025. Functional impairment was assessed using the validated 14-item TDI. Multivariable logistic regression modeled associations between TDI scores and task-related pain, adjusting for confounders. Among 280 ophthalmologists, 85.7% reported WMSDs symptoms, most commonly weekly. Mean TDI score was 8.0 ± 9.3. Most (90.0%) had minimal disability, 8.6% moderate, and 1.4% severe. None had crippling or bed-bound disability. The cervical (27.9%) and lumbar spine (25.7%) were most affected. Higher TDI scores independently predicted pain during clinic examinations (adjusted OR = 1.124; p < 0.001), laser procedures (OR = 1.064; p < 0.001), and surgery (OR = 1.065; p < 0.001). WMSDs are highly prevalent among ophthalmologists practicing in Saudi Arabia and are associated with measurable task-related difficulty. These findings support structured ergonomics education, exercise programs, and institution-level workplace modifications.
Related
- The Epidemiology of Disability in Saudi Arabia: National Prevalence, Functional Multimorbidity, and Age-Stratified Self-Reported Causes
- Prevalence and functional impact of musculoskeletal pain among university students in seven Arab countries and its sociodemographic and lifestyle associations
- Prevalence of and factors associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders among orthopedic nurses: a cross-sectional study with exploratory interpretable machine-learning modeling
- Musculoskeletal clinicians practice behaviour for non-traumatic wrist disorders in the UK: a qualitative study
- Burden of Five Musculoskeletal Disorders in ASEAN Countries, 1990–2023: A Global Burden of Disease Study 2023 Analysis
BibTeX
@article{alhayaza2026prevalence,
title = {{Prevalence, Severity, and Functional Disability of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Ophthalmologists in Saudi Arabia: A National Cross-Sectional Survey.}},
author = {Raid Alhayaza and Fatemah T AlShamlan and Abdullah Afif Alshakhs and Hani Tamim},
journal = {Clinical ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.)},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.2147/opth.s640695},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42999591},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Prevalence, Severity, and Functional Disability of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Ophthalmologists in Saudi Arabia: A National Cross-Sectional Survey.
AU - Raid Alhayaza
AU - Fatemah T AlShamlan
AU - Abdullah Afif Alshakhs
AU - Hani Tamim
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/03
JO - Clinical ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.)
DO - 10.2147/opth.s640695
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42999591
AB - Ophthalmology is a clinical and surgical specialty with high physical demands. Despite advancements in ophthalmic equipment, improper ergonomic practices contribute to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), affecting practitioners' performance and productivity. This study investigated the prevalence, severity, and functional disability of WMSDs among ophthalmologists in Saudi Arabia using the Total Disability Index (TDI) and examining associations between disability severity and task-related difficulty. A national cross-sectional survey included 280 ophthalmologists practicing in Saudi Arabia, recruited through institutional and professional channels and convenience-based dissemination. Data were collected from Jan-Apr 2025. Functional impairment was assessed using the validated 14-item TDI. Multivariable logistic regression modeled associations between TDI scores and task-related pain, adjusting for confounders. Among 280 ophthalmologists, 85.7% reported WMSDs symptoms, most commonly weekly. Mean TDI score was 8.0 ± 9.3. Most (90.0%) had minimal disability, 8.6% moderate, and 1.4% severe. None had crippling or bed-bound disability. The cervical (27.9%) and lumbar spine (25.7%) were most affected. Higher TDI scores independently predicted pain during clinic examinations (adjusted OR = 1.124; p < 0.001), laser procedures (OR = 1.064; p < 0.001), and surgery (OR = 1.065; p < 0.001). WMSDs are highly prevalent among ophthalmologists practicing in Saudi Arabia and are associated with measurable task-related difficulty. These findings support structured ergonomics education, exercise programs, and institution-level workplace modifications.
SN - 1177-5467
SN - 1177-5483
ER -