Occupational Eye Injuries in Patients Attending Al-Karama Teaching Hospital in Baghdad

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Background: Occupational eye injuries still constitute an economic and public
health problem in the world and proper eye and face protections are necessary in
the workplace since the majority of work-related eye injuries are preventable.
Objective: To describe the epidemiological features of work-related eye injuries
among the workers at the workplace in Baghdad.
Methods: This study was conducted on 176 workers with occupational eye
injuries attending the out-patient eye clinic unit at Al-Karama Teaching Hospital in
Baghdad during the period from the 1st of June 2012 to the 2nd of January 2014.
The data were collected by comprehensive optical examination and history was
taken from each patient by direct interview with each patient.
Results: Out of the 176 workers attending out-patient eye clinic at Al-Karama
Teaching Hospital with occupational eye injuries, 74 patients (42%) had left eye
injuries, 70 patients (39.8%) had right eye injuries while 32 patients (18.2%) had
injuries of both eyes. About 56.8% of the work-related eye injuries were detected
among workers within the age group (20-40 years). Males constituted about
82.2% of the study sample with a male to female ratio of 6:1. More than fifty
percent of the workers with eye injuries were from lower educational status and
from duration of work below four years. Foreign body injuries accounted for 48.3%
followed by burns which accounted for 21.6% of all types of eye injuries. Foreign
body eye injuries were detected in 54.1% and 40% of the mechanical and
technical workers, respectively.
Conclusion: Majority of the occupational eye injuries occurred among workers
with age group (21-40 years). A high proportion of the workers had a shorter
duration of work performance. Foreign body eye injuries were the most common
type of eye injuries especially among mechanical and technical workers.