This is a descriptive cross-sectional study of metal workers in Ilorin conducted between October and December 2007. The aim of the study was to determine the ocular health status of metal workers in Ilorin. A two-staged sampling technique was used to select 400 metalworkers who participated in the study. The first stage of the sampling involved proportionate sampling of 400 hundred metalworkers from the 3 local government areas from the registered members of Association of Welders, Iron benders and Blacksmiths in Ilorin. A simple random sampling method by balloting was then used to select the metalworkers from each Local Government Area. Interviews were conducted using an interviewer administered questionnaire as the survey tool and eye examinations were done on all participants. The prevalence of ocular disease among the metal workers was 48.8% (195 of 400). Presbyopia was the commonest ocular disorder seen. Majority of the respondents, 387 (96.7%) believed that eyewear could prevent injuries, and 3.3% thought otherwise. Three hundred and eighty five (96%) of the 400 hundred metal workers use protective eye wear while working, while 15 (4%) did not use eye wear at work. At the time of injury only 12 (12.7%) of the respondents had protective eyewear on at the time of injury To promote ocular health amongst metal workers it is recommended that education on ocular health and advantages of using adequate protective eye devices should be carried out. Ocular safety intervention programmes by eye care providers should also be targeted at metal workers.