Abstract
Background: Environmental pollutants particularly from industries can be a significant cause of ocular disorders. This could affect not just quality of life but also productivity especially in an occupationally active age group. The aim of this study was to determine the pattern and prevalence of ocular disorders in an oil community.Methods: A retrospective study was carried out after a one day free medical outreach at Ekerekana- ama, Okrika. Information culled from the records of each patient included demographic data, visual acuity, ocular findings and diagnosis.Results: A total of two hundred and forty-two subjects were studied. Refractive error and presbyopia were the commonest ocular disorder seen. Ocular surface disorders comprising of allergic conjunctivitis, pterygium, photophobia and bacterial conjunctivitis, was the second most common with a prevalence of 12%.Conclusions: The pattern and distribution of ocular disorders in this study mirrors that reported in other studies done in oil communities to a considerable extent. Government interventions in formulating and regulating refining processes should be reinforced. Provision of more accessible eye care in those communities will also improve their ocular status significantly.
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