TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2020//
TI  - Etiological causes and epidemiological characteristics of patients with occupational corneal foreign bodies: a prospective study in a hospital-based setting in India
JO  - Indian journal of ophthalmology
A1  - Agrawal, Charu
A1  - Girgis, Shenouda
A1  - Sethi, Aditya
A1  - Sethi, Vaibhav
A1  - Konale, Manisha
A1  - Lokwani, Parul
A1  - Sethi, Reena
SP  - 54
EP  - 57
VL  - 68
IS  - 1
N2  - PURPOSE: Corneal foreign bodies (CFBs) due to occupational exposure have been largely ignored in Indian literature, especially nonmetal workers. Our study looks at a broad range of occupations and settings that contribute to CFB in our local Indian population. THE STUDY OBJECTIVE WAS TO: determine the occupations, level of education and demographics of patients presenting with CFB acquired during occupational work. <br><br>METHODS: Prospective hospital-based study at a tertiary eye hospital in Gurgaon, Haryana, India, within duration of 9 months. Patients presenting with CFB were asked a set of questions relating to their occupation, level of education, understanding of the potential complications of CFB, and demographics. <br><br>RESULTS: A total of 83 patients were included in the study. CFB were attributed only to males. 66% of patients were in the age group of 14--29 years. 30% of patients were in the age group 30--44 years and 4% of patients were between 45 and 60 years old. The metal work industry was responsible for 47% of presentations. The construction industry was responsible for 27% of presentations. Electricians and carpenters combined were responsible for 10% of presentations and 17% of presentations occurred in other sectors. <br><br>CONCLUSION: CFB occur across a number of occupations in the construction industry, not just metallic workers. Among a population that is generally poorly educated and have nominal understanding of the impact that CFB can have on vision, occupational hazard education is necessary to address this problem.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0301-4738
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/ijo.IJO_623_19
ID  - ref1
ER  -