PTERYGIUM AMONG COMMERCIAL MOTORCYCLE RIDERS AND TRAFFIC WARDENS IN BENIN METROPOLIS

Abstract

Pterygium is a triangular fibrovascular sub-epithelial in-growth of degenerative bulbar conjunctival tissue over the limbus onto the cornea. This study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of pterygium among commercial motor cycle riders and traffic wardens in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Data was collected with the aid of closed-end questionnaires. The questionnaires were administered on 50 Okada riders, 50 Traffic warden and 50 indoor workers, who acted as control group. Results showed the presence of pterygium in 33.33% of motorcycle riders, 32.07% of Traffic wardens and 7.27% of the control group. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of pterygium between the motorcycle riders and the traffic wardens (p=0.880). There was a significant difference (p=0.000) between wearing and non-wearing of protective goggles in the Okada riders and the traffic warden, while, no significant difference (p=0.220), when compared with the finding between the Okada riders and the traffic wardens. Also, the prevalence of pterygium increased with increase in duration of riding motor cycle and working as a traffic warder, as compared with the control groups. This finding was observed to be strongly connected with the outdoor occupational life of both groups, the duration of exposure and none use of protective eye wear. We recommend therefore that outdoor workers be advised to wear protective goggles with ultraviolet ray protection to prevent direct assault of sun rays, wind carrying dust and sand particles that can cause or induce recurrence of pterygium