Work Related Ocular Injury: Nepal

Abstract

Introduction: Occupational eye injuries comprise a major source of ocular trauma. Knowledge of the epidemiology of occupational eye injuries is essential to formulate viable safety strategies.Objectives: To evaluate the demographics, patterns of protective eye wear use, and patterns of occupational eye injury among workers in Hetauda, Nepal.Materials and methods: Community based cross-sectional prospective survey was carried out from September 2010 to July 2011. Survey included all workers irrespective of their age and those who are willing to participate in survey by filling details on structured questioners and comprehensive eye examination at community level.Results: 1236 surveys were collected. 38.3% (473) of workers surveyed reported experiencing a work-related eye injury. Over two-thirds [68.3% (844)] of workers surveyed reported never wearing safety eyewear while at work. There was a positive correlation between male sex (P<0.001), reported previous work-related injury (P<0.001), and attending school (P=0.016) and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).Conclusions: The population studied demonstrates a significant level of work related injury. There are potentially modifiable factors that could lead to increased use of eye protection.

Role of Socioeconomic Status (SES) in Globe Injuries: A Review

“…They act as a barrier between the eye and mechanical, thermal, chemical, radioactive, and actinic injury. 54 As mentioned before, a large number of eye injuries occurred in the workplace. In theory, it is mandatory to use eye protection devices while being in the workplace, especially for high-risk occupations like the construction industry and agriculture.…”

“…In contrary to the plethora of information about the description and occurrence of globe injuries, relatively less data are available on the aspect of globe injury prevention. 54 Considering the risk of permanent visual impairment, the need for hospitalization and the burden of globe injuries on the individual and the health system as a whole, globe injury prevention strategies present a clear priority as a public health issue. 3 Eye protection devices are selected based on the activity that imposes a risk for eye injury.…”

<p>Epidemiology of Eye Injuries Resulting in Hospitalization, a Referral Hospital-Based Study</p>

“…Even though safety eyewear protection is a requirement in the workplace, a low usage rate was reported, especially in agricultural work. 21 Significant barriers about using protective eyewear including impairment of vision, discomfort or shyness were reported. 22,23 It is important that a program raising awareness is needed for workers regarding the risk of severe visual loss and to motivate attention to safety when performing any work.…”

Ocular Protection Practice and Associated Factors Among Ethiopian Welders: Institution-Based Cross-Sectional Study

“…However, the proportion of a good-level of ocular protection practice in this study was higher than the studies conducted in south India 45.0%, 34 Taiwan 41.9%, 35 Benin 2.3%, 17 different states of Nigeria 25.2-37.6% 16,18,36 and Nepal 47.7%. 37 This might be the variation in study design, data collection tools, and sample size. For example, studies in India and Benin were conducted with small sample size and a case-control study design was employed in Taiwan.…”