Eye Injury Studies
Obviously the number of eye injuries caused by industrial accidents varies according to the level of industrial activity in the area and, sadly the incidence of such accidents does not appear to be reducing.
Recent surveys into the causes and types of ocular injury of people admitted to hospital show that, every year, thousands of people sustain eye injuries as a result of their work. The figures, of course, often only cover the more serious reportable accidents. Literally tens of thousands of accidents to the eyes go unreported and are dealt with on a first-aid basis.
In 1985, a large study by Chiapella and Rosenthal examined the clinical records of 6576 patients admitted to the eye casualty department at Leicester Royal Infirmary during a one year period. As may be expected, the majority of patients were men in the 20-40 years age group, and the main cause of eye injuries were foreign bodies. The Table shows the main occupations of the patients in whom the injuries occurred, with press and machine tool operators the most likely to suffer injury (32 per cent). It is important to note that most of the occupations listed are known to have potential ocular hazards, and that eye protection should have prevented injury. The study suggests that eye protection was either inappropriate or was not being used correctly by the workers.
Table 1 Main occupations of patients in whom ocular injuries occurred (reproduced from Chiapella A.P. and Rosenthal A.R. (1985) One year in an eye casualty clinic. Br J Ophthalmol, 64, 618-625)
Number of Cases |
|||||
Occupation |
All Injuries |
Burn |
Contusion |
Foreign Body |
Corneal Abrasion |
Press or Machine Tool Opperators |
494 |
13 |
13 |
425 |
64 |
Motor Vehicle or Aircract Mechanic |
147 |
10 |
7 |
111 |
18 |
Metal Worker |
145 |
7 |
4 |
111 |
27 |
Construction |
131 |
16 |
6 |
82 |
37 |
Sheet Metal Worker |
124 |
3 |
3 |
108 |
12 |
Electrician |
104 |
5 |
3 |
77 |
24 |
General Labourer |
120 |
6 |
5 |
79 |
34 |
Welder |
97 |
9 |
3 |
72 |
18 |
Bus or Coach Driver |
76 |
4 |
5 |
46 |
23 |
Others in Processing |
51 |
4 |
1 |
23 |
8 |
Painter and Decorator |
44 |
7 |
1 |
23 |
17 |
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