Causes and characteristics of work-related eye injuries in western Turkey.
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Date
2013-09
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Abstract
Objectives: To analyze descriptive data and characteristics of work‑related eye injuries (WREI) admitted
into the emergency department (ED) and obtain information to utilize in planning measures to prevent
WREI. Materials and Methods: This prospective study recruited patients with WREI admitted to the
center in the two‑year study period. Only the casualties occurred at the workplace and while working
constituted the sample. The data were collected via face‑to‑face contact in the ED. Results: Males comprised
the majority of the sample (95.3%, n = 778) and mean age of the patients was 28.1 ± 6.5 (range: 15-54) with
the biggest percentage in between 25 and 34 years of age (46.2%, n = 377). Most patients were working
in the metal and machinery sectors (66.4%, n = 542). Nearly half of the patients had less than 1 year of
experience (50.4%, n = 411). The most common mechanism of WREI was noted to be exposures to welding
light (26.9%, n = 219), followed by drilling/cutting injuries (21.1%, n = 172). “Carelessness” and “hurrying
up” were the most commonly reported causes of WREIs among ‘worker‑related causes’ (21.4% and 16.1%,
respectively). Lack of protective measures ranked the highest among workplace‑related causes (18.7%,
n = 207). Conclusions: Programs to increase awareness on workplace safety and sound preventive strategies
for both parties‑employers and employees are to be pursued. Occupational safety efforts should include
training on workplace eye safety and campaigns to raise knowledgeability on this disease among workers.
Description
Keywords
Emergency department, ocular, trauma, work related injuries
Citation
Serinken Mustafa, Turkcuer Ibrahim, Cetin Ebru Nevin, Yilmaz Atakan, Elicabuk Hayri, Karcioglu Ozgur. Causes and characteristics of work-related eye injuries in western Turkey. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology. 2013 Sep; 61(9): 497-501.