1. Occupational Hazards, Associated Ocular Morbidities and Impact of Refractive Safety Eyewear among Agriculture Workers in India - A Two State Study
- Author
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Janani, Suresh, Krithica, Srinivasan, Saranya, Sachi B., Lakshmi, Shinde, Nivethikka, Ram M. R., Shefali, Jathanna J., Saravanan, Subramaniyam, Eshwari, K., Ve, Ramesh S., and Rashima, Asokan
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United States. Department of Agriculture -- Analysis ,Analysis ,Eyewear -- Analysis ,Protective clothing -- Analysis ,Eye examination -- Analysis ,Agriculture -- Analysis ,Agricultural industry -- Analysis ,Eyewear industry -- Analysis ,Eye -- Medical examination - Abstract
Author(s): Suresh Janani [1,2]; Srinivasan Krithica [3]; Sachi B. Saranya [4]; Shinde Lakshmi [5]; Ram M. R. Nivethikka [1]; Jathanna J. Shefali [3]; Subramaniyam Saravanan [4]; K. Eshwari [6]; Ramesh [...], 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. Keywords: Farmers, hazard, ocular injury, ocular morbidities, safety eyewear
- Published
- 2024
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