الفهرس 
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Abstract
Pterygium, is a common ocular surface lesion originating in the limbal conjunctiva within the palpebral fissure with progressive involvement of the cornea. The lesion occurs more frequently at the nasal limbus than the temporal with a characteristic wing-like appearance. As UV radiation is believed to play an important role in the pathophysiology, avoidance of UV exposure is important to primary prevention. Ocular surface lubrication may also help (Hong, (2022). Knowledge, attitude, and good practice were protective factors, helping to reduce the risk of pterygium (Zhao et al., 2019).
Research Design:
A descriptive research design was utilized to conduct this study.
Setting:
The study was conducted at Out-Patient Ophthalmologist Clinic affiliated to Ophthalmology University Hospital and Out Patient Ophthalmology Clinic Benha Ophthalmology Hospital affiliated with the Directorate of Health and under the Ministry of Health and followed with home visits.
Sample type:
Convenience sample of post-operative Pterygia patients and their caregivers from the above previously mentioned setting was used through six months; the sample was taken according to the following criteria: Pterygia patients < 20 and their caregivers and aged 20 -< 30 years old years and more. The total sample number was 100 patients
Tools for data collection
Three tools were used to collect the data:
Tool I: A Structured Interviewing Questionnaire: An interviewing questionnaire: It was developed by investigator and revised by supervisor, based on reviewing related literatures, and written in Arabic language.
It consisted of three parts:
Part I: It was designed to collect data about:
A: Socio-demographic characteristics of the studied patients which included eight closed ended questions about: (age, gender, marital status, educational level, occupation, place of residence, family type and income).
B: Caregivers characteristics of the studied patients which included seven closed ended questions about: (age, gender, educational level, occupation, place of residence, caregiver (kind of relation) and living with patient).
Part II: It was concerned with medical history of the studied patients which consisted of five closed end questions (the onset of Pterygium, site of Pterygium, manifestations, previous eye operation, effect on patients’ vision and presence of other medical problem).
Part III: It was concerned with knowledge of the studied patients and their caregivers regarding pterygium: adapted from Ibrahim, (2018): which include 7 closed ended questions such as (definition, manifestations, causes, diagnosis, prevention, treatment and complications).
Tool II: Observational check list to:
A) It was concerned with reported practices of patients and their caregivers regarding pterygium adopted from Ibrahim, (2018) and modified by investigator, which included 38 items classified into 4 categories (personal hygiene 7 statements, application of topical treatment 11 statements, eye protection post-operatively 12 statements and protective measures and follow-up care 8 statements).
B) It was concerned with reported sanitary home environment condition of the studied sample consisted of 10 statements such as (clean and organized environment, good ventilation, ventilation opening in each room, sufficient fans or air conditioners, hoods to purify the air from dust, smoke-free patient environment, good lighting, do not crowd the environment with furniture, presence of clean water sources and Personal hygiene tools and sanitizers).
Tool III: It was concerned with attitude of caregivers regarding pterygium adapted from (Wanyama, 2013): It was developed by the investigator after reviewing of related literature to assess the caregivers’ attitude toward caring for patients which included 12 closed ended question.
Results:
The study has generated the following findings
1- 63.0% of the studied patients aged ≥ 50 years old with mean age in years was 55.41±4.58. Also 61.0% of them were male. Concerning patients’ educational level, 39.0% of them can’t read and write. Regarding their occupation, 63.0% of them had free work. Also; 75.0% of them had sufficient income.
2- 66.0% of caregiver aged 20-<30years old with mean age in years was 42.22±6.11 and 65.0% of them were female. Concerning patients’ educational level; 56.0% of patients had basic education. Regarding their occupation; 87.0% of them were house wives. Whenever; 64.0% of caregivers were son or daughter and 66.0% of them were living with the patient.
3- 48.0% of patients had pterygium since<1 year, 44.0% of them had the pterygium in the right eye. Regarding the manifestation; 100%, 93.0% feeling with burning and itching in the eye, and feel with sand in the eye and blurry or double vision respectively. Whenever; 59.0% of them had no previous eye operation. Moreover; 51.0% of them had weak in vision. Regarding the presence of medical problem, 48.0% of patients had hypertension and 31.0% of them had DM.
4- 9.0% of the studied patients had good total knowledge level regarding pterygium, while 58.0% of them had poor total knowledge level. On the other hands, this figure also shows that; 36.0% of the studied caregivers had good total knowledge level, while 19.0% of them had poor total knowledge level regarding pterygium.
5- 60.0% of the studied patients had unsatisfactory total practices and 40.0% had satisfactory practices regarding pterygium, As well as; 38.0% of caregivers had unsatisfactory total practices and 62.0% had satisfactory practice regarding pterygium.
6- 57.0% of the studied caregivers had negative total attitude level toward the pterygium and 43.0% of them had positive total attitude level toward the pterygium.
7- There was negative correlation between the studied patient ′total knowledge and their total practices level. While there was positive correlation between the studied caregivers’ total knowledge and their total practices level (p<0.001**).
Conclusion
Based on the results of the present study and the research questions, the study concluded that; the minority of the studied patients had good total knowledge level regarding pterygium while more than half of them had poor total knowledge level regarding pterygium. On the other hands, more than one third of the studied caregivers had good total knowledge level, while less than one fifth of them had poor total knowledge level regarding pterygium. More than half of the studied patients had unsatisfactory total practices regarding pterygium, while less than two thirds of caregivers had satisfactory total practices regarding pterygium. More than half of the studied caregivers had negative total attitude level toward the pterygium. In addition to; there was negative correlation between the studied patient ′total knowledge and their total practices level. While there was positive correlation between the studied caregivers’ total knowledge and their total practices level (p<0.001**).
Recommendations
Based on the main study findings, the following recommendations are suggested.
1- Develop educational and training programs for patient and their caregivers about pterygium at large size sample.
2- Empower the patients and their caregivers to apply appropriate self-care practice regarding post-operative care of pterygium.
3- Further studies regarding precautionary measures practices for patients and their caregivers about pterygium.
4- Increase public awareness about pterygium through awareness campaigns, community education, and media.