Bibian Eruemulor, IMASUA

External eye infections occur when harmful microorganisms invade the eyes thereby inflicting harm. Infection in the eyes occurs in three main parts: eyelid, cornea and conjunctiva. The study was carried out to assess bacterial associated with ocular infections. A questionnaire was used to obtain participants demographics and basic general information related to the work. Thereafter samples from 50 healthy students in university of Benin was obtained from the lower cul-de-sac by using a sterile swap stick. Within 4-6 hours of collection, the samples were transported under aseptic condition to the laboratory for analysis. On MacConkey agar, nutrient agar, and mannitol salt agar, the samples were inoculated. The microbes isolated were determined using typical microbial and biological procedures. Antimicrobial test was carried out to ascertain the sensitivity or resistant status of each isolate. The commonest flora isolated was Escherichia Coli in 96% of participants. The total mean CFU for males and females was 3.145 and 2.660 respectively (p=0.519). There was a significant relationship between history of contact lens use with prevalence of Escherichia Coli (p=0.009), also a significant relationship between history of contact lens use with percentage of occurrence of Pseudomonas aeuriginosa (p=<0.001). There was also a relationship between history of visit to clinic and percentage occurrence of Pseudomonas aeuriginosa (p=0.010) and history of visit to clinic with percentage occurrence of Escherichia Coli (0.023) and also a significant relationship was seen between the listed names of the eyedrop with percentage of occurrence of Staphylococcus aureus (p=0.054). This study showed that lifestyles factors such as contact lens use and eye drop use can affect the normal flora of a person.