Assessing the knowledge and practices of family physicians in eye screening and early diagnosis

This study aimed to evaluate family physicians’ knowledge and practices in primary healthcare settings. It focused specifically on their approaches to eye screening, early diagnosis, and management of eye diseases. This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among family physicians working in the provinces of Erzincan, Trabzon, and Erzurum. Data were collected between September and December 2024 using a 37-item questionnaire developed through a literature review and pilot testing. The questionnaire, delivered via Google Forms, included Likert-scale items covering demographic information, eye screening practices, and knowledge levels. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, Kruskal–Wallis test, Mann Whitney U, and Spearman correlation analysis. A total of 124 family physicians participated in the study. While 40.3% reported performing red reflex screening only for infants aged 0–3 months, 29.8% stated they did not perform it at all. Additionally, 21.8% indicated that a direct ophthalmoscope was either unavailable or its availability was unknown at their centers. The mean knowledge score was 58.15, with male physicians scoring significantly higher than female physicians (p=0.023). No significant associations were found between knowledge scores and age, total professional experience, or job title. However, a positive and significant correlation was identified between the duration of family medicine practice and knowledge level (r=0.240, p=0.007). The findings revealed notable deficiencies in the knowledge and practices of family physicians concerning eye health screening and early diagnosis. To enhance the quality of primary eye care, it is essential to implement regular training programs, ensure the availability of ophthalmic examination tools, and establish national screening protocols. This study contributes foundational insights to strengthen the role of family physicians in the early detection and management of eye conditions.