THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TEAR FILM STABILITY AND BODY MASS INDEX AMONG STUDENTS VISITING THE OPTOMETRY CLINIC, UNIVERSITY OF BENIN, NIGERIA.

Tear film stability is vital for maintaining ocular surface health, visual clarity, and overall comfort. Variations in body composition, particularly Body Mass Index (BMI), have been associated with metabolic and inflammatory changes that may influence ocular physiology, including tear film quality and quantity. This study therefore investigated the relationship between BMI and tear film stability among students visiting the Optometry Clinic, University of Benin. A total of 120 participants aged 18 to 27 years (mean age 22.65 ± 2.24 years) were recruited. Data collected included age, gender, spectacle and contact lens use, BMI, Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score, Tear Meniscus Height (TMH), and Fluorescein Tear Break-Up Time (FTBUT). Descriptive statistics were used to summarise participant characteristics. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was employed to determine relationships between BMI and tear film parameters, while independent samples t-tests were used to compare mean tear film values across BMI and gender groups. The mean BMI was 24.57 ± 5.40 kg/m², the mean OSDI score was 24.68 ± 15.18, mean TMH was 0.22 ± 0.09 mm, and mean FTBUT was 11.97 ± 4.09 seconds. Statistical analysis revealed no significant correlation between BMI and any of the tear film parameters (p > 0.05). Similarly, gender-based comparison showed no significant differences in mean OSDI, TMH, or FTBUT values. In conclusion, this study found no significant influence of BMI on tear film stability among the student population. The findings suggest that within this young adult group, factors such as environmental exposure, digital device use, or lifestyle habits may exert a greater impact on tear film integrity than body mass index alone.