Occupational Hazards, Associated Ocular Morbidities and Impact of Refractive Safety Eyewear among Agriculture Workers in India - A Two State Study.

CONTEXT

Agriculture is one of the occupations with the highest risk of injuries and fatalities but the farmers are ignorant about eye care and eye safety.

AIM

The current study aims at understanding the occupational hazard and ocular morbidities associated with agriculture and the effect of safety eyewear.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

Multicenteric, cross-sectional, observational study was conducted in two states of India: Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Subjects were agriculture workers recruited by convenience sampling.

METHODS AND MATERIAL

The study was done in three phases: Phase 1: Visual task analysis (VTA), Phase 2: Comprehensive eye examination, and Phase 3: Spectacle compliance assessment. The Standard of Living Index scale was administered to assess the socioeconomic status of the participants.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

Descriptive statistics and logistic regression.

RESULTS

A study involving 276 workers (39.4% male, 65.2% female) found that VTA agricultural tasks were visually less demanding but hazardous, carrying the risk of ocular and nonocular injuries. Ocular injuries accounted for 9.4% (26 cases), while nonocular injuries accounted for 9.8% (27 cases). Spectacle compliance assessment revealed that 91.8% (157 out of 171 workers) reported improved visual comfort, reduced dust exposure, and enhanced safety with safety eyewear.

CONCLUSIONS

This study illustrates numerous types of hazards associated with the occupation of farming. The study population had a 9.4% prevalence of ocular injuries. Refractive safety eyewear was reported to improve worker visual comfort.