Some issues of ensuring the rules of ophthalmic hygiene by high school students: according to the results of sociological research

Abstract

At present, almost every second child aged 15–16 years suffers from myopia. Among the causes of visual impairment overstrain of the organ of vision due to prolonged and intense visual stress at close distance, excessive presence at the computer, insufficient lighting of the workplace, improper fit when reading and writing are found. Ophthalmic hygiene is a set of rules and techniques that are aimed at maintaining the function of the organ of vision at the proper level and preventing ophthalmic diseases. Purpose: to study and analyze the level of provision of certain rules of ophthalmic hygiene by high school students as a factor in maintaining the health of the organ of vision. Materials and methods. The object of the study was the establishing of the level of health-preserving behavior of high school students in relation to the organ of vision. Materials: the results of a sociological study, which covered 312 high school students. Participation in the study was voluntary. High school students were involved in conducting a sociological study with the consent of parents Respondents’ activity was 70.0 %; 500 questionnaires were distributed; 347 questionnaires were received completed. 312 questionnaires were subject to statistical processing for further analysis of the results obtained. 35 (10.0 %) questionnaires were excluded from the study due to incorrect or incomplete answers. Methods: sociological, bibliosemantic, of structural-and-logical analysis. During the sociological research, the confidentiality of information about respondents was preserved. The study was conducted between September 2025 and May 2026. The processing of the results was carried out with the use of quantitative and qualitative analysis. The data obtained were summarized, analyzed and interpreted, which allowed the formulation of valid conclusions. Results. In the course of sociological research, it was found that high school students have a certain level of awareness of the rules of ophthalmic hygiene. High school students have the highest level of awareness of the following rules: eye protection from foreign objects – 295 (94.6 %), the required focal length from the eyes to the workplace – 291 (93.3 %), rational and regular nutrition – 295 (94.5 %). The surveyed high school students have the lowest level of awareness of the following rules: choosing the right place for work and leisure – 174 (55.8 %), eye protection from ultraviolet radiation – 148 (47.3 %), hygiene of the orbital area – 154 (49.4 %). Most often, the surveyed high school students received information on the rules of ophthalmic hygiene from teachers – 211 (67.2 %), parents – 195 (62.5 %) and Internet networks – 149 (47.8 %). Respondents received this information from medical workers at a low level. Only 56 (17.9 %) respondents assessed the level of their knowledge on this problem as sufficient, and 87 (27.9 %) indicated that they were not interested in this information. Respondents largely do not lead a health-preserving lifestyle in relation to the organ of vision and do not follow the rules of ophthalmic hygiene: only 108 (36.9 %) take breaks during prolonged visual load and exercise for the eyes, 115 (34.6 %) ensure compliance with the focal length from the eyes to the workplace, 139 (44.6 %) respondents indicated compliance with the visual regime, 79 (25.3 %) respondents provide sufficient hydration of the organ of vision. 176 (56.4 %) stick to hygienic rules for reading books and watching TV, 163 (52.2 %) of respondents have healthy and sufficient sleep. Conclusions. According to evidence-based management, the level of compliance with the rules of ophthalmic hygiene by the interviewed high school students does not allow to prevent the development of pathology of the organ of vision and maintain ophthalmological health at a sufficient level. The results of the sociological study indicate the need to develop and introduce mechanisms for the formation of motivation of high school students for health-preserving behavior in relation to the organ of vision. The leading role in this area of activity should be played by the public health system.