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.  This study aimed to assess the practice of ocular hygiene and the risk for ocular disorders among undergraduates of the University of Benin. Using a descriptive cross-sectional study design, data were collected and analyzed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 25, alongside other statistical tests like the Karl Pearson Correlation coefficient and Chi-square test. There were 450 respondents predominantly aged between 18-21 years (n = 266; 59.11%) with a mean age of 21.28 ± 2.27 years, and a majority being female (n = 295, 65.56%). The results of the findings found that students had good ocular hygiene practices (83.6%). Most of the participants expose their eyes to sunlight for more than 10 minutes (71.1%), use screens for more than 6 hours in a day (81.6%) and spend prolonged periods doing near work such as reading (83.1%). The most predominant symptoms of ocular disorder among participants are headache and sensitivity to lights. Statistically there was no significant correlation observed between ocular hygiene practices and ocular risks (r < 0.1; p > 0.05). In conclusion, this study showed that most of the students had good ocular hygiene practices. However, significant risk factors for ocular disorders were identified, including prolonged exposure to sunlight, excessive screen use, and extended periods of near work activities. These factors were found to be associated with the development of ocular symptoms such as headaches and sensitivity to light. Despite these findings, the study did not establish a significant correlation between ocular hygiene practices and the risk of ocular disorders among undergraduate students at the University of Benin. To address this gap, this study recommends the development and implementation of educational programs focused on raising awareness about ocular hygiene practices among undergraduate students.

Key words: ocular hygiene, ocular disorders, ocular health, eyelid hygiene.