Lama A. Alrumaih

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the scientific contribution of King Saud University (KSU) to the field of ophthalmology using bibliometric methods and to contextualize its output within the Arab region. Materials and Methods: A bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection, covering publications from 1980 to July 2025. Articles were identified using ophthalmology-related terms and institutional affiliations linked to KSU and its associated hospitals. Analyses included publication trends, citation metrics, keyword evolution, author productivity, and collaboration networks. In addition, a second WoS query covering 22 Arab countries was performed to assess KSU’s contribution within the Arab region. RESULTS: A total of 11,376 ophthalmology-related publications from the Arab world were indexed in the WoS Core Collection between 1980 and July 2025. Among these, KSU is the most productive institution, contributing 1910 publications (16.79%). Of the KSU-affiliated publications, 1701 original research articles met the final inclusion criteria, accumulating a total of 32,042 citations (mean: 18.97 citations per publication). Annual scientific output showed exponential growth over time ( R ² =0.908). Keyword analysis revealed a persistent focus on diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and uveitis, while recent years saw an increasing emphasis on artificial intelligence. Collaboration networks demonstrated strong ties with institutions in the United States, Egypt, and Belgium. Conclusion: KSU has played a pivotal role in advancing ophthalmology research in the Arab world. Its expanding publication volume, global collaborations, and thematic alignment with emerging technologies underscore its growing impact. These findings can guide strategic academic planning and foster future interdisciplinary innovation.

Objective: Literature regarding coronary artery disease (CAD) and awareness of its risk factors is available in Saudi Arabia (SA). However, it is lacking with respect to premature coronary artery disease (PCAD). Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the lack of knowledge of this underrepresented critical issue and to devise a well-constructed strategy for PCAD. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of PCAD and its risk factors in SA. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was performed in the Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University (KSU), Riyadh, SA between July 01, 2022, and October 25, 2022. A validated proforma was sent to the Saudi population. The sample size was 1046 participants. Results: Proforma results indicated that 46.1% (n = 484) of participants believed that CAD could occur in people under the age of 45, whereas 18.6% (n = 196) did not believe, and 34.8% (n = 366) did not know. There was a highly statistically significant association present between sex and the belief that CAD can affect people who are under the age of 45 (p < 0.001), with 355 (73.3%) females believing that CAD can affect people below the age of 45 compared to 129 (26.7%) males. The results also showed a highly statistically significant relationship between educational status and the belief that CAD can affect people who are under the age of 45 (bachelor’s degree, 392 participants, representing 81.1%; p < 0.001). Furthermore, having employment was notably positively associated with that belief (p = 0.049) as was having a health specialty (p < 0.001). In addition, 62.3% (n = 655) of participants were not aware of their lipid profile, 49.1% (n = 516) preferred using vehicles to get to nearby places, 70.1% (n = 737) did not undergo regular medical checkups, 36.3% (n = 382) took medications without consultations, 55.9% (n = 588) did not exercise weekly, 69.5% (n = 112) were E-cigarette smokers, and 77.5% (n = 810) consumed fast food weekly. Conclusions: Individuals from SA have an evident lack of public knowledge and poor lifestyle practices regarding PCAD, which demonstrates the need for health authorities to take a more targeted and attentive approach toward PCAD awareness. In addition, extensive media involvement is required to highlight the severity of PCAD and its risk factors in the population.