Epidemiology and Predictors of Visual Outcome in Patients with Occupational Eye InjuriesA Prospective Observational Study

Introduction: Work Related Eye Injuries (WREI) constitute majority of eye injuries affecting younger age group. Trauma mainly affects people from lower socioeconomic background. People having workplace related eye injuries have an added financial burden. Challenges with respect to workplace related eye injuries include lack of occupational safety and health cover, lack of related information about pattern and exact incidence and management protocols.

Aim: To study epidemiological profile, risk factors and predictors of visual outcome in occupational eye injury patients.

Materials and Methods: This prospective observational/cohort study was conducted in Department of Ophthalmology, at Rajiv Gandhi Medical college and CSM Hospital, Kalva, Thane between October 2020 to February 2022. Study population included 42 patients having occupational eye injuries. After obtaining written informed consent, detailed history regarding their occupation, mode of injury and awareness and history of use of any Protective Eye Device (PED) at the time of injury was noted. Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA), detailed anterior segment examination and fundus examination was done. Ocular injury was classified as Open Globe Injury (OGI) or Closed Globe Injury (CGI) and ocular trauma scale was calculated. Patients were treated medically or surgically as indicated and followed-up next day and subsequently BCVA was noted and progress at each follow-up till six months was recorded. Factors related to good visual outcome (better or equal to 6/24) and bad visual outcome (visual acuity worse than 6/24) were identified. Continuous variables were described as the mean and variation of each observation from the mean value (Standard deviation) represented as mean±SD (analysed using independent t-test). Univariate analysis was done for identifying factors associated with bad visual outcome and p-value of <0.05 was considered significant.

Results: Forty-two patients were included in study (40 males and 2 females). There were 21 patients each in OGI and CGI. Most commonly affected were construction workers- 15 (35.72%). A total of 45% workers had access to PED at workplace but none of them used them. Univariate analysis showed open-globe injury, Zone-1 injury, presence of iris prolapse, traumatic cataract, vitreous prolapse/RD were related to bad visual outcome (<6/24). At six months, the median logMAR BCVA improved significantly from logMAR 0.8 to 0.18 (0-1.3) (p=0.0002).

Conclusion: Occupational ocular trauma is commonly seen in younger males. Poorer visual outcomes are associated with OGI and Zone-1 injuries, presence of iris prolapse, traumatic cataract, vitreous prolapse/retinal detachment. Lack of use of protective eye gear was universally noted along with its unavailability in many places. Conducting regular educational programs on ocular safety at workplaces, sensitising the workers and their employees regarding the hazards of ocular trauma and strict implementation of mandatory use of eye protective devices is recommended.