Factors Affecting Patients' Selection of an Ophthalmologist in Saudi Arabia: A Patient-Centered Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND

Patients' preferences play a major role in selecting health care providers, yet, to our knowledge, no prior research in Saudi Arabia has examined which factors most influence the choice of an ophthalmologist. This study aimed to identify the key determinants guiding patients' decisions and explore demographic differences.

METHODS

An analytical cross-sectional survey was conducted from September 2025 to February 2026, among adults who had visited an ophthalmology clinic in the past 12 months. A total of 418 participants completed an online questionnaire assessing sociodemographic data, clinical background, Likert-scale ratings of 28 selection factors, and the top three most influential factors. Fisher's exact test and the Mann-Whitney U test were used, with significance set at p<0.05.

RESULTS

Communication quality and clinical competence were the strongest influences. The most important factors were taking enough time to answer questions (90.7%), availability of modern equipment (88.3%), clinic cleanliness (88.0%), and clear explanation of test results (87.1%). Clinical expertise indicators, including years of experience (84.0%), subspecialty fellowship (78.7%), and low complication rates (76.1%), were also highly valued. The top three selected factors were years of experience (56.2%), subspecialty fellowship (53.6%), and board certification (40.4%). Social media presence and cost-related factors had a limited influence.

CONCLUSION

Patients in Saudi Arabia prioritize professional expertise, effective communication, and a clean, well-equipped clinical environment when choosing an ophthalmologist. Convenience, cost, and social media play a secondary role. Strengthening clinical credibility and patient-centered communication may enhance patient trust and decision-making in ophthalmic care.