Practice of Ocular Hygiene and Risks for Ocular Disorders Among Undergraduate Students of TheUniversity of Benin

Abstract

Ocular hygiene practices encompass a variety of behaviors and habits that individuals can incorporate into their daily routines. Proper ocular hygiene is not only preventive against ocular disorders but also supportive of ocular health, contributing to the overall well-being of an individual. The aim of this study is to assess the practice of ocular hygiene and the risk for ocular disorders among undergraduates of the University of Benin. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study design.  There were 450 respondents, male and female, aged between 18-30 years with a mean age of 24.28 ± 2.27 years.

Results showed that participants had very good ocular hygiene practices (83.6%). A good percentage (82%) of them reported avoiding touching their eyes all the time, 70% of them wore sunglasses when going out, 76% consulted their eye doctor regularly and 82% only used eyedrops prescribed by the doctor. The risk for developing ocular diseases among participants was low. No family history of ocular diseases (61%), no past history of eye infection (70%), no history of diabetes mellitus (94%) or hypertension (94%) were reported. There was no significant correlation between ocular hygiene practices and risks for ocular disorders (r < 0.1; p > 0.05). Predominant ocular symptoms among participants were light sensitivity (60%), headache (54%) and eyestrain (46%). Although this study showed that most of the students had very good ocular hygiene practices, significant risk factors for ocular disorders were identified. This included excessive screen use and extended periods of near work activities. These factors could be associated with the development of ocular symptoms such as headaches and sensitivity to light, as reported in this study.