A STUDY OF WORKPLACE INJURY TO EYE IN A TERTIARY EYE CARE CENTRE

Abstract

Background: Workplace eye injuries are an important cause of ocular morbidity and may result in significant visual impairment, loss of productivity and socioeconomic consequences. Many occupational eye injuries are preventable through appropriate use of protective eyewear, workplace safety measures and worker education. This study was undertaken to evaluate the demographic profile, occupational characteristics, mechanisms, clinical presentation, management and visual outcomes of workplace-related ocular injuries presenting to a tertiary eye care centre.

Methods: This retrospective observational study included patients with workplace-related ocular injuries who presented to a tertiary eye care centre in Bangalore during the period from February 2021 to January 2023. A total of 225 patients were included. Demographic details, occupation, mechanism of injury, time to presentation, use of protective eyewear, anatomical structures involved, type of ocular injury, visual acuity, treatment and visual outcomes were assessed. Patients were evaluated clinically and managed according to the nature and severity of the injury.

Results: The majority of patients were adult males, with a mean age of 36.9 ± 11.4 years. Factory/industrial workers constituted the largest occupational group (27.9%), followed by welders (20.4%) and construction workers (15%). The right eye was involved in 53.1% of cases, the left eye in 43.8%, and bilateral involvement in 3.1%. Wooden stick injury was the most common mechanism of injury (68.1%), followed by iron nail injury (10.6%) and chemical exposure (8%). Most injuries occurred during the late afternoon (81.5%) and were self-inflicted (97.7%). A majority of patients (89%) did not use protective eyewear at the time of injury. Closed-globe injuries constituted 85.4% of cases, while open-globe injuries accounted for 14.6%. The cornea was the most commonly involved ocular structure (65.5%). Most patients (91%) were managed medically, while 9% required surgical intervention. Corneal tear was the most common indication for surgery. At follow-up, visual acuity improved in 81.1% of patients, remained stable in 17.3%, and deteriorated in 2.7%.

Conclusion: Workplace ocular injuries remain an important and largely preventable cause of visual morbidity. The high proportion of injuries occurring among workers not using protective eyewear highlights the need for strict implementation of occupational eye-safety measures. Regular worker education, identification and control of workplace hazards, provision and mandatory use of appropriate protective eyewear, and periodic safety training may substantially reduce the incidence and severity of occupational eye injuries.