Face shield (or helmet) as protection against pterygium among motorcycle taxi drivers in DKI Jakarta

Pterygium is a triangular form of fibrovascular tissue growing from the conjunctiva to the cornea in the interpalpebral region. Motorcycle taxi drivers are at risk for pterygium development due to factors including ultraviolet exposure, chronic dust irritation, and wind. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of a face shield (or helmet) and other factors related to pterygium in such drivers. The study was conducted in two stages, with the first stage being cross-sectional and the second a case-control study with age group matching. The participants consisted of 131 drivers, and data collection was done using a self-administered questionnaire, an observation-based checklist, and an eye examination. The results showed that the prevalence of pterygium was 19.1%. Factors affecting the incidence of pterygium in the drivers were level of education (p = 0.029, OR = 3.310), history of antioxidant consumption (p = 0.018, OR = 5.087), knowledge regarding face shield wearing (p < 0.001, OR = 10.286), and face shield wearing behavior (p < 0.001, OR = 11.156). The results indicate that occurrence of pterygium in motorcycle taxi drivers can be reduced because of proper wearing of a face shield (or helmet).