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Eye hazards for outside workers
Abstract
Working outside can present its own set of unique health hazards. Hazel Montague looks at ways in which eyes can be protected from external damage.
... Ocular surface diseases affect sight as well as quality of life and even blindness if not managed properly. Other ocular disorders that could result from such exposure include blepharitis, presbyopia, cataract and glaucoma etc [7]. ...
... These insults can however be reduced when the individuals are properly educated on the importance of seeking health care early and proper use of safety measures to prevent ocular disorder [7,8]. ...
Objective: To assess the ocular disorders prevalent in communities affected by crude oil-spillage in Rivers State. Methods: A cross sectional study involving participants at a one day free eye screening event in Ogu Bolo Local Government area of Rivers State. Participants had comprehensive ocular examination, a pen torch examination of the anterior segment and a direct fundoscopy using the Welch Alllyn Ophthalmoscope, Tonometry was done using the Keeler Pulse air tonometer and those with minor ocular pathologies were treated on site while more chronic disease were referred to a private Ophthalmology group practice. Statistical Analysis: Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Descriptive statistics employed mean, median, standard deviation and range values. Frequencies and proportions were used for categorical variables. Results: The mean age was 46.76±16.03 years while the age range was 1-90 years. The male to female ratio was 1:1.1. About 57.9% and 57.1% of the people had visual acuity better than 6/18 in the right and left eyes respectively. About 19.7% and 20.1% had visual acuity worse than 6/36 in the right and left eyes respectively. The commonest Ocular disorder was Refractive Error (33.6%).This was followed by Presbyopia (17.8%), Cataract (15.1%), Allergic Conjunctivitis (6.5%) while Ocular albinism was least (0.2%). Conclusion: Ocular anterior segment disorders are prevalent in communities affected by oil spillage and could be due to exposure to petroleum-related chemical irritants.
... It is assumed that Incidence of visual disorders in industrial workers may result in visual loss, anguish, reduced manpower, man hours and economic loss. Most of these hazards are preventable if adequate precautionary measures are taken [1][2][3][4]. Worker's eyes may be exposed to a variety of dangerous agents depending on the type of industry which may constitute an occupational hazard [5,6]. ...
... Most of the reported studies related to non-traumatic ocular disorders that have emerged from developed countries with relatively little information from developing countries such as India. For example, a study carried out at Wolver-Hampton, a highly industrialized area of the United Kingdom showed 73.8% of all ocular trauma over a 10 year period occurred in industries [2]. A similarly higher figure of 71% was reported in an early study conducted in 1923.6 ...
Purpose: To determine the profile of presenting visual status and refractive status of the small scale industry workers at the Ambattur Industrial estate, Chennai.
Methods: A descriptive study was conducted in the small scale and tiny sector industries in Ambattur Industrial estate, Chennai. Hundred and eleven (111) workers were conveniently sampled for the study. Information on their demographic data, was collected, all participants underwent ophthalmic examination which include, visual acuity for distance and near, objective and subjective refraction if their visual acuity is less than normal, colour vision and torch light examination.
Results: Hundred and eleven small scale industry workers were screened which included 24.3% Entrepreneurs, 14.4% Operators, 14.4% engineers includes both electrical and chemical engineers, 11.7% administrators, 7.2% welders, 10.8 % turners, 9.9% house keepers and 7.2% drivers. Among hundred and eleven workers, 82% were males and 18% were females with a mean age (39.7 ± 8.9 years). 23.4% showed Visual impairment ranging from mild to severe. The most common visual disorders were uncorrected presbyopia (37%), uncorrected refractive error (36.93%), Colour vision defect was found in (10.8%) and cataract in (6.3%). None of them used protective eye wears.
Conclusion: Our study recommends that uncorrected presbyopia and uncorrected refractive error was high among workers as they are not aware about eye health and safety measures for the occupation. The use of safety eye devices is low among workers and recommends that process about awareness and implementation of ocular safety in these industries is established.
... It can also be reduced when the individuals are properly educated on the importance of seeking health care early and proper use of safety measures to prevent ocular disorder and the early presentation. 3,4 Other exposures that can lead to ocular disorders are ultraviolet rays, extremely bright lights as well as chemicals used in the refining processes in petroleum industries. 5,6 These could cause adverse ocular side effects which may manifest as photokeratitis, characterized by pain and grittiness. ...
Background: Environmental pollutants particularly from industries can be a significant cause of ocular disorders. This could affect not just quality of life but also productivity especially in an occupationally active age group. The aim of this study was to determine the pattern and prevalence of ocular disorders in an oil community.Methods: A retrospective study was carried out after a one day free medical outreach at Ekerekana- ama, Okrika. Information culled from the records of each patient included demographic data, visual acuity, ocular findings and diagnosis.Results: A total of two hundred and forty-two subjects were studied. Refractive error and presbyopia were the commonest ocular disorder seen. Ocular surface disorders comprising of allergic conjunctivitis, pterygium, photophobia and bacterial conjunctivitis, was the second most common with a prevalence of 12%.Conclusions: The pattern and distribution of ocular disorders in this study mirrors that reported in other studies done in oil communities to a considerable extent. Government interventions in formulating and regulating refining processes should be reinforced. Provision of more accessible eye care in those communities will also improve their ocular status significantly.
... Most of these hazards are preventable if adequate precautionary measures are taken. [1][2][3][4] To maintain certain standards in terms of health, safety, efficient, and overall productivity in the industries, factories act and decrees were enacted by the Federal Government of Nigeria. 5 The great increase and diversification of mechanization in industry, with associated increased demand on our social lives result in increased risk and occurrence of all types of trauma especially ocular trauma. ...
To determine the ocular disorders in the petroleum industry in Warri, Nigeria.
A clinic-based prospective study of the pattern of ocular disorders in workers of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation in Warri, Delta state of Nigeria was carried out over a 1-year period. Technical and non-technical workers were interviewed and examined using the Snellen's chart, pen-torch, direct ophthalmoscope, slit-lamp biomicroscope, Perkin's hand-held applanation tonometer, and the Kowa automatic visual field plotter where indicated.
A total of 154 technical workers comprising 146 males (94.8%) and eight females (5.2%), and 116 non-technical workers comprising 90 males (77.6%) and 26 females (22.4%) were seen. There was no reported case of ocular trauma. Symptoms suggestive of ocular irritation were much more common in technical workers. Allergic conjunctivitis, pterygium, corneal abrasion, and foreign body on the cornea were significantly more common in technical workers P<0.0001.
Exposure to irritant chemicals in the petroleum industry makes the technical workers more prone to allergic conjunctivitis, pterygium, corneal abrasion, and foreign body on the cornea. Protection goggles should be provided for all the technical workers.
... Most of these hazards are preventable if adequate precautionary measures are taken. [1][2][3][4] Worker's eyes may be exposed to a variety of dangerous agents depending on the type of industry which may constitute an occupational hazard. 5,6 Most of the reported studies related to non-traumatic ocular disorders have emerged from developed countries with relatively little information from developing countries such as Nigeria. ...
To determine the pattern of non-traumatic ocular disorders in industrial technical workers in the Delta state, Nigeria.
A cross-sectional study of the pattern of non-traumatic ocular disorders among industrial technical workers in 3 factories in Ughelli North local Government Area of Delta state, Nigeria was conducted between February, 2002 and May, 2002. In addition to the demographic, the workers were studied for the presence of any non-trauma related ocular findings. Visual acuity of these workers was obtained as well as ocular examination was performed by using the Snellen's chart, pen torch, ophthalmoscope, Perkins hand-held tonometer, Ishihara plates. Patients were refracted if their visual acuity was less than normal.
Five hundred technical workers were screened that included 200 (40%) from the construction industry, 180 (36%) from the rubber factory and 120(24%) from the oil mill. All the workers studied were males. Ocular disorders were seen in 664 (66.4%) of the eyes. The most common ocular disorders were pingueculum 215 (21.5%), presbyopia 97 (9.7%), refractive error 94 (9.4%), pterygium 86 (8.6%) and chronic conjunctivitis 45 (4.5%). None of the workers was blind from non-traumatic causes. Only 36 (7.2%) workers wore any protective eye devices at work.
Non-traumatic ocular disorders are common in the industrialized technical workers in the Delta state of Nigeria. The use of protective eye devices is low in these workers and suggests that measures to implement ocular safety should be undertaken in these industries.
Going to work during the COVID-19 pandemic has placed frontline workers under immense and unprecedented pressures, putting their physical, mental, and social well-being at risk. Staff under excessive or prolonged stress become more prone to frequent absences from work or reduced productivity while at work, accidents, and mistakes. In the COVID-19 pandemic, this may mean compromised quality and safety of care, breach of protocols and guidelines, increased risk of infections, and compromised capacity of the health system and emergency response teams to fight the pandemic. While frontline workers have the responsibility of caring for themselves and verbalizing their needs and concerns, many of the efforts to prevent and reduce stress and care for the mental health of frontline workers must be made by organizations, managers, and health administrators.
Pg 174-178.
Construction workers have mostly preventable eye injuries. This pilot study investigated a convenience sample of 75 (72 men, 3 women) apprentice operating engineers. Most (52%) of the apprentices had been injured twice on the job. Injury was associated with age and longevity in the construction industry. There were no significant differences in health perceptions as measured by the Health Self-determinism Index when the safety glasses wearers were compared with non wearers of safety glasses (t[52] = -.94, P > .05) and the injured group was compared with the noninjured group (t[62] = -.38, P > .05). Literacy issues, recall, and underreporting of injuries may have affected the results. Nurses need to teach health promotion strategies to operating engineers.
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