A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY ON WORK RELATED OCULAR INJURIES FROM A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL OF CENTRAL INDIA.

Divya  Verma; Vaishali G. Rai; Nikhila  Yadav; Sapna  Raghuwanshi

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v5i3.1056

Authors

Dr. Divya Verma Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Birsa Munda Government Medical College, Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh.
Dr. Vaishali G. Rai Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government Medical College, Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh.
Dr. Nikhila Yadav Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology,Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government Medical College, Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh.
Dr. Sapna Raghuwanshi Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government Medical College, Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v5i3.1056

Keywords:

Tympanoplasty, Temporalis Fascia Graft, Cartilage Island Graft, Air-Bone Gap

Abstract

Background

Work-related eye injuries are more common and severe in developing nations such as India due to the lack of emphasis on occupational health and workplace safety. Literature has revealed that work-related eye injuries make up 22% of all ocular trauma cases in their study on ocular trauma. Therefore this investigation was conducted to study epidemiological aspects of work-related eye injuries.

Method

The hospital-based observational study was conducted on 362 individuals seeking treatment for work-related ocular injuries at the ophthalmology department of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Shahdol town, Madhya Pradesh. All the patients received a thorough clinical assessment at the ophthalmology department after capturing the relevant baseline information.

Results

Of the total 362 subjects, the gender-wise majority (n=331, 91.4%) were males. Most (n=224, 61.8%) of ocular injuries were observed in the younger age group (20 to 30 years). A history of previous ocular injury was noted in 7.7% (n=28). Most (n=188, 51.9%) were reported from welding work followed by grinding work (n=54, 14.9%) as the second most common. Corneal foreign bodies were noted among 47 (13%) study subjects. Just removing protective gear with no reason (n=18, 38.3%), removing protective gear due to sweating (n=12, 25.5%) & protective gear being uncomfortable (n=10, 21.3%) were the three most common reasons cited for not using protective gears for eyes.

Conclusion

The study offers an understanding of the epidemiological features of work-related ocular injuries in central India. Many of these injuries can be avoided by using suitable eye protection and receiving safety training.

Recommendations

An individualized intervention program for workers with eye injuries should be implemented due to their high susceptibility to recurring injuries.