Evaluation of Contact Lens Hygiene Practices Among University Students in Ile-Ife, Osun State

Improper contact lens hygiene is a leading cause of contact lens-related ocular complications, including infectious keratitis and corneal ulceration. This study evaluates contact lens hygiene practices among contact lens-wearing students at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, situated in Nigeria's South West geopolitical zone. A cross-sectional descriptive study design will be used, targeting 200 students who have used contact lenses for at least three months. Participants will be identified through purposive sampling, and data will be collected using a structured questionnaire assessing compliance with recommended hygiene guidelines, knowledge of contact lens care, lens type usage, wearing duration, and history of complications. A short clinical assessment will also document the anterior segment health of each participant. Data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics, with chi-square tests determining relationships between knowledge levels and hygiene compliance. The study anticipates that a significant proportion of students will demonstrate inadequate hygiene practices, including sleeping with lenses, irregular disinfection, and extending lens wear beyond prescribed periods. Findings will inform optometry student counseling protocols and contribute to the design of evidence-based contact lens education campaigns in Nigerian university settings. This research also reinforces the importance of structured follow-up care for contact lens users in the South West zone and raises awareness about the clinical risks associated with poor lens hygiene in a university population. Keywords: contact lens hygiene, university students, Ile-Ife, ocular complications, lens compliance