Occupational eye injury and risk reduction: Kentucky workers' compensation claim analysis 1994-2003

The Demographic and Social Characteristics of Patients with Ocular Foreign Bodies in a Greek Tertiary Hospital

Purpose

Patients and Methods

Results

Conclusion

Epidemiology and Visual Outcome of Open Globe Injury Cases in Hospital Pulau Pinang

Objective

To describe the epidemiology and to evaluate the visual outcome of open globe injury (OGI) cases in Hospital Pulau Pinang.

Method

A three-year retrospective study on OGI cases presenting to Hospital Pulau Pinang from January 2018 until December 2020.

Result

A total of 39 OGI cases (n=39) were included in this study. The average age of the patients was 34.9 ± 21.7 (mean ± standard deviation, SD). There were 33 males (84.6%) and six females (15.4%). In this study, 27 cases (69.2%) were Malaysians, while the remaining 12 cases (30.8%) were foreigners. OGI cases were mostly caused by occupational injuries (n=17, 43.6%) and domestic-related accidents (n=17, 43.6%). The mean initial VA (visual acuity) logMAR was 1.69 ± 0.98 (mean ± SD). Overall, the final VA improved to the mean VA logMAR of 1.04 ± 1.08 (mean ± SD). There was a significant positive correlation between initial VA and final VA logMAR (Spearman’s rho = 0.6532, p <0.001). A negative linear correlation was found between calculated raw points of Ocular Trauma Score (OTS) and final VA logMAR (Spearman’s rho = -0.7067, p <0.001).

Conclusion

Young adult males, foreign nationality, occupational injuries, and domestic-related accidents are risk factors of OGI. By uncovering the risk, we can take remedial actions to ensure better public health and clinical strategies to prevent and manage ocular trauma in the future. This study also highlights that initial VA and OTS are effective in predicting visual outcomes of OGI.

Characteristics of work-related eye trauma in construction and manufacturing industries

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Knowledge of work-related eye trauma in the construction and manufacturing industries will facilitate planning of policies and practices to protect against such occurrences.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to compare demographic, epidemiological, and clinical characteristics of work-related eye trauma in workers in the construction and manufacturing industries.

METHODS

Medical board disability reports of subjects who experienced work-related eye trauma were investigated in this retrospective comparative study. Subjects were separated into two groups - construction and manufacturing - and the demographic, epidemiologic, and clinical characteristics within the two groups were compared.

RESULTS

The construction group included 138 eyes of 132 subjects and the manufacturing group included 82 eyes of 77 subjects. Demographic characteristics of the groups were similar (p > 0.05). The number of work-related eye trauma incidents was found as decreased during winter in construction (p < 0.001), but a similar trend was not found in manufacturing (p > 0.05). Head traumas as reason for work-related eye trauma (p < 0.001), and concomitant systemic diseases including bone fracture and traumatic brain injuries (p < 0.001 and p = 0.012) were significantly associated with eye trauma in manufacturing. Open globe injury was more common in construction (p = 0.046), and chemical injury was more common in manufacturing (p < 0.001). Retinal detachment was more prevalent in construction (p = 0.042). Hand motion or worse final visual acuity was more prevalent in manufacturing (p = 0.007) and the final visual acuity better than 6/60 was more prevalent in construction (p = 0.045).

CONCLUSION

Chemical injuries are more common in manufacturing, whereas open globe injuries and retinal detachments occur more frequently in construction. Permanent low vision and blindness are more commonly associated with work-related eye trauma in manufacturing.

Causes, occupational risk and socio-economic determinants of eye injuries: a literature review

Purpose

This review provides literature views on ocular trauma, with emphasis on common causes of injury, occupational risk, socio-economic factors, management peculiarities and some implications on overall care approach, from prevention to treatment.

Methods

A literature search was performed using key words in PubMed to extract the most relevant articles on ocular injuries, from an occupational point of view. Seventeen relevant articles were included out of seventy-two. Eight relevant articles were found from the references of the articles included and were also added. The total number of articles for this systematic search analysis was twenty-five. Collected information was tabulated in the Appendix.

Results

Most of the included publications were original articles. Many studies were retrospective and cross-sectional with a satisfactory rate of participant recruitment when reported. Most of eye injuries occurred in the workplace. Common eye injuries were due to foreign bodies and corneal abrasions. High-risk occupations included welders, farmers, metalworkers and grinding, construction and manufacturing workers. Most of the injuries could be preventable by using suitable protective eye devices (PED) but appropriate protection is a more complex process than it appears.

Conclusions

Findings of this review showed that it is compulsory to inform people about the risk and consequences of eye injuries. Eye care services should be designed keeping in mind geo-epidemiologic trauma etiology patterns and local health system capacity. Issues of adherence to prevention measures remain object of knowledge dissemination, educational planning and cultural appraisal. Modernizing equipment and respecting workplace regulations are tasks that deserve continuous attention.

Occupational Eye Injuries in the agricultural settings: a retrospective study from North-Eastern Italy

Background: Occupational Eye Injury (OEI) represents a common world-wide event accounting for between 3.3% and 6.1% of all occupational compensation claims. In this retrospective study we evaluated all the recorded OEI which occurred in the Autonomous Province of Trento (APT) during the period 2000-2013. Methods: Data on OEI for all of APT were retrieved an institutional archive and the analysis included demographics of the injured, as well as characteristics and settings of the OEI. In order to assess the risk of OEI in Agricultural Workers (AWs) vs. all other Occupational groups, a multivariate analysis was eventually performed through a logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 141,139 work-related injuries were recorded, including 5,065 (3.6%) OEI. 91.9% of all cases occurred in males, of Italian origin (77.2%), with a mean age of 38.4±11.7 years. The industrial sector reported the higher share of OEI (70.7%), whereas higher incidence rates were reported among AWs (6.04 vs. 3.85/1,000 workers/year). Agricultural OEI occurred in older workers (45.6±13.3 vs. 37.1±11.0 years), being more likely associated with “contusions” (OR 2.042, 95% 1.602-2.602) and “lacerations” (OR 2.386, 95%CI 1.877-3.033), and less frequently with exposures to chemicals, gases and vapours (OR 0.478, 95%CI 0.279-0.817). Conclusions: Despite a relatively low frequency of OEI, AWs were affected with a seemly higher incidence than that reported in other occupational groups. OEI in AWs exhibited a specific pattern, both in terms of lesion, and settings of the events, recommending tailored interventions in order to improve promotion strategies. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Relationship between the use and type of eye protection and work-related corneal and conjunctival foreign body injuries

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to reveal the relationship between the use and type of eye protection and the occurrence of work-related corneal and conjunctival foreign body injuries.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study of patients with work-related corneal and/or conjunctival foreign body injuries between 1 August 2017 and 31 July 2018. They were all diagnosed and treated at Jia Ding Hospital affiliated to the Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences in Shanghai, China. All patients received a comprehensive eye examination and a face-to-face interview using a structured questionnaire by ophthalmologists.

RESULTS

A total of 426 consecutive patients were included in the study. The majority of work-related eye injuries occurred in men (94.17%). Summer was the season that had the highest incidence of eye injuries, especially in July and August (38.03%). There were 290 patients (68.08%) that were injured more than once. The ratio of eye protection use to non-protection was 1:7 at the first time of eye injury. The ratio improved to 1:3 on subsequent injury. A majority of employers (79.11%) provided eye protection to employees. However, 19.95% of the workers were injured despite wearing a pair of protective spectacles. The causes of work-related eye injury were as follows: no eye protections provided (20.89%); unawareness of work safety (30.99%); defect of spectacles (47.18%).

CONCLUSIONS

Protection use at work effectively prevents work-related eye injuries. Both employers and employees require improved awareness of workplace hazards and personal protection. Eye protection should be selected appropriately according to the work environment.

Epidemiology of eye injuries in a high-income developing country: An observational study

Vision loss following eye trauma is a serious health problem worldwide. The aim of the study was to report the epidemiology of eye injury that requires hospitalization and surgery at a secondary referral center in a high-income developing country so as to give recommendations regarding its prevention.All patients who had an eye injury that required surgical intervention between 2012 and 2017 at Al-Ain Hospital were retrospectively studied. Demography, cause of injury, and visual acuity before and after treatment were studied.Results revealed that 141 patients were operated, 96 eyes with open globe and 48 with other injuries. The median (IQR) age was 25 (11.5-37) years, 89% were males. Majority of injuries occurred at work (50.4%) followed by home (31.2%). Sharp objects (24.1%) and blunt trauma (16.3%) were the most common mechanism of injury. Eye injury was less during the weekends (Friday and Saturday) and during the summer vacation. Cornea injuries (48.2%) were the most frequent cause for visual acuity deterioration followed by lens/cataract (23.4%). Among injured eyes, 30 eyes (21.3%) retained intraocular foreign bodies. There was significant improvement of the visual acuity after surgery (P < .0001, Wilcoxon signed rank test).Our study has shown that eye injury is a major risk for visual loss of young people which is mainly work-related. Use of personal protective equipment for the eyes and adopting legislative eye safety regulations will reduce the impact of eye injuries in our community.

Epidemiological Characteristics of Work-Related Ocular Trauma among the Carpenters in Medan, Indonesia

BACKGROUND

Medan is the capital of North Sumatera Province and the most industrialised area of North Sumatera. One of the largest industries in Medan is the wooden industry. Ocular trauma is often happened in Medan and causes a serious problem.

AIM

This study aimed to analyse the correlation between ocular trauma among the carpenters and the using of eye protection during work and educational level.

METHODS

This study is conducted among the carpenters that work in the wooden industry. There were 30 carpenters that being observed about age, educational level and working hours and the using of eye protection during work that might be related to ocular trauma. All carpenters completed a comprehensive examination and interview.

RESULTS

The most common age range of ocular trauma was between 26-45 years (56.7%), and all were male. Most of the traumatised carpenters educational level had a higher educational level (50%), and workers that had traumatised works more than 8 hours a day (66.7%). From this study, there was a significant correlation between ocular trauma among the carpenters and age (p = 0.047), and working hours (p = 0.039).

CONCLUSION

No significant correlation between ocular trauma among the carpenters and the using of eye protection during work (p = 0.464), and educational level (0.925) was found. Furthermore to anticipate the high rate of worked-related ocular trauma required labour regulations that cover the age of recruitment workers and working hours a day. Work safety regulation protects the workers from work-related ocular trauma.

Prevalence, subtypes, severity and determinants of ocular trauma: The Singapore Chinese Eye Study

PURPOSE

To describe the prevalence, subtypes, severity and determinants of ocular trauma (OT) in a population-based study in Singapore.

METHODS

We included 3353 Chinese adults aged ≥40 years from the Singapore Chinese Eye Study, a population-based study, conducted between 2009 and 2011. OT was defined as self-reported history of any eye injury requiring medical attention with or without hospitalisation, and further classified as blunt object, sharp object or chemical burns related. Age and gender-standardised prevalence was estimated using the 2010 Singapore Chinese population census. Multivariable models were used to assess the independent associations of OT with age, gender, income, education, literacy, alcohol consumption, smoking and history of falls.

RESULTS

The mean (SD) age was 59.7 (9.9) years and 49.4% were male. There were 138 OT cases, giving a crude and age and gender-standardised prevalence of 4.1% (95% CI 3.5% to 4.8%) and 4.4% (95% CI 3.7% to 5.2%), respectively. Of these, 45 (32.6%), 56 (40.6%) and 10 (7.3%) were blunt object, sharp object and chemical burns-related trauma, respectively. Twenty eight (20.3%) required hospitalisation, with no difference between subtypes. In multivariable models, men (OR (95% CI): 2.80 (1.79-4.39)), younger persons (per year decrease in age (1.03 (1.00-1.05)) and lower education levels (1.8 (1.25-2.60); comparing ≤6 years vs >6 years of education) were independent determinants of OT.

CONCLUSIONS

OT affected one in 25 adults, with 20% of these requiring hospitalisation. Because OT is preventable, raising awareness and education strategies in the population would allow prevention of vision loss particularly in men, and younger and lesser-educated individuals.

Work-Related Eye Injuries: A Relevant Health Problem. Main Epidemiological Data from a Highly-Industrialized Area of Northern Italy

The province of Modena is one of the most industrialized areas of Northern Italy. The medical records of the Ophthalmological Emergency Department (OED) of Modena University Hospital were studied: there were 13,470 OED accesses in 2014 and in 754 cases that an occupational eye injury occurred. The frequency of work-related eye injuries (3‰) was lower compared to other published studies, but the absolute number is still relevant, showing the need for more adequate prevention, especially in metal work, construction work, and agriculture, where the worst prognoses were observed. Intervention programs must be implemented as early as possible in the working life, considering that the frequency in younger workers is about double that of the oldest age class (3.5‰ vs. 1.8‰), and special attention should also be given to foreigners, who have a 50% higher injury risk. Furthermore, the planning of specific interventions for eye-injured workers may be useful, considering that a previous injury does not appear to encourage the adoption of preventive interventions, and a subgroup of eye-injured workers have a potential risk for new injuries. Finally, the data presented here indicates how OED records, integrated with specific occupational information, can be applied for studies on work-related eye injuries.

Analysis of workers' compensation claims data for machine-related injuries in metal fabrication businesses

BACKGROUND

Metal fabrication workers are at high risk for machine-related injury. Apart from amputations, data on factors contributing to this problem are generally absent.

METHODS

Narrative text analysis was performed on workers' compensation claims in order to identify machine-related injuries and determine work tasks involved. Data were further evaluated on the basis of cost per claim, nature of injury, and part of body.

RESULTS

From an initial set of 4,268 claims, 1,053 were classified as machine-related. Frequently identified tasks included machine operation (31%), workpiece handling (20%), setup/adjustment (15%), and removing chips (12%). Lacerations to finger(s), hand, or thumb comprised 38% of machine-related injuries; foreign body in the eye accounted for 20%. Amputations were relatively rare but had highest costs per claim (mean $21,059; median $11,998).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite limitations, workers' compensation data were useful in characterizing machine-related injuries. Improving the quality of data collected by insurers would enhance occupational injury surveillance and prevention efforts. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:656-664, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Ocular injuries and eye care seeking patterns following injuries among cocoa farmers in Ghana

BACKGROUND

The work environment of cocoa farmers exposes them to several ocular hazards that predispose them to eye diseases and injuries. However, the extent of ocular injuries and health seeking patterns following these injuries are unknown among cocoa farmers in Ghana.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence of ocular injuries and health seeking behaviour following injury among cocoa farmers in Ghana.

METHODS

Five hundred and fifty six participants were recruited through simple random sampling using a multistage approach from four cocoa growing districts in Ghana. A structured questionnaire was used to collect relevant information such as demography, ocular hazards and injuries experienced. An ocular examination was also conducted to assess the eye health of the participants. Descriptive and regression statistics were used to analyze the data. The rate of ocular injuries was calculated by using the number of injuries reported that resulted in lost work time/days divided by the number of worker years at risk of injury (sum of years worked in cocoa farms for all the participants).

RESULTS

The rate of ocular injuries was 11.3/1000 worker years (95% CI: 9.4 - 31) which led to lost work time of 37.3/1000 worker years (95% CI: 34.1 - 40.8). The major causes of ocular injury were plants/branches (n=73, 51.1%), chemicals (n=27, 18.9%), cocoa pod/husk (n=14, 9.8%) and occurred mostly during weeding, harvesting and chemical spraying. Few (n=34, 6.1%) participants reported the use of ocular protection. Fifty-five (38.5%) participants visited the local chemical shops, while 37 (25.9%) visited hospitals/clinics for ocular treatment of their injuries.

CONCLUSION

There is a high rate of ocular injuries among cocoa farmers who make insufficient use of appropriate eye care services. There is the need for eye health education among cocoa farmers in Ghana.

Epidemiological Characteristics of Work-Related Ocular Trauma in Southwest Region of China

Purpose: To determine the epidemiological characteristics of work-related eye injury in representative southwest region of China. Methods: Patients with eye injuries treated at the Ninth People’s Hospital of Chongqing from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2014 were included in the current study. All patients completed a comprehensive examination and interview. Demographic characteristics and injury details were recorded. The International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) and Birmingham Eye Trauma Terminology (BETT) were used. Results: The average age of eye injury patients was 37.52 years and the majority were male. Among the 1055 total patients, approximately 42.9% of the injuries were work-related. The highest proportion of occupational eye trauma was observed in the group between 36 and 45 years of age. Occupational ocular trauma occurred more frequently in summer, with most from 16:00 to 18:00. Metal was the most common injury cause. Foreign body on external eye was the most common diagnosis. Workers in the manufacturing industry without pre-work safety training or eye protection were far more likely to suffer from occupational ocular trauma than those with training and protection. Conclusions: This study provides insight into the epidemiological characteristics of occupational ocular trauma in southwest region of China. The current findings might be considered as a baseline for future research on regional work-related eye injuries. Our findings will provide valuable information for further development of preventive strategies.

Insurance claims data: a possible solution for a national sports injury surveillance system? An evaluation of data information against ASIDD and consensus statements on sports injury surveillance

BACKGROUND

Before preventive actions can be suggested for sports injuries at the national level, a solid surveillance system is required in order to study their epidemiology, risk factors and mechanisms. There are guidelines for sports injury data collection and classifications in the literature for that purpose. In Sweden, 90% of all athletes (57/70 sports federations) are insured with the same insurance company and data from their database could be a foundation for studies on acute sports injuries at the national level.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the usefulness of sports injury insurance claims data in sports injury surveillance at the national level.

METHOD

A database with 27 947 injuries was exported to an Excel file. Access to the corresponding text files was also obtained. Data were reviewed on available information, missing information and dropouts. Comparison with ASIDD (Australian Sports Injury Data Dictionary) and existing consensus statements in the literature (football (soccer), rugby union, tennis, cricket and thoroughbred horse racing) was performed in a structured manner.

RESULT

Comparison with ASIDD showed that 93% of the suggested data items were present in the database to at least some extent. Compliance with the consensus statements was generally high (13/18). Almost all claims (83%) contained text information concerning the injury.

CONCLUSIONS

Relatively high-quality sports injury data can be obtained from a specific insurance company at the national level in Sweden. The database has the potential to be a solid base for research on acute sports injuries in different sports at the national level.

Frequency and cost of claims by injury type from a state workers' compensation fund from 1998 through 2008

OBJECTIVE

To determine which work-related injuries are the most frequent and costly.

DESIGN

Secondary analysis of workers' compensation claims data.

SETTING

Data were provided by a large, Maryland workers' compensation insurer from 1998 through 2008.

PARTICIPANTS

Not applicable.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES

For 45 injury types, the number of claims and compensation amount was calculated for total compensation and for medical and indemnity compensation separately.

RESULTS

Back and knee injuries were the most frequently occurring single injury types, whereas heart attack and occupational disease were the most expensive in terms of mean compensation. When taking into account both the frequency and cost of injury (mean cost × number occurrences), back, knee, and shoulder injuries were the most expensive single injury types.

CONCLUSIONS

Successful prevention and management of back, knee, and shoulder injuries could lead to a substantial reduction in the burden associated with work-related injuries.

Work-related open-globe injuries: demographics and clinical characteristics

PURPOSE

To describe the demographics and clinical characteristics of work-related open-globe injuries (OGIs) at a level I trauma center over a 10-year period.

METHODS

Retrospective series.

RESULTS

A total of 183 eyes with work-related OGIs were identified. The majority of injuries occurred in men (96.7%). The anatomic site of the wound was zone 1 in 107 eyes (72.3%). The most common cause was nail gun use (47.0%). The types of OGI included 32 ruptures (17.5%), 112 penetrating injuries (61.2%), 38 intraocular foreign bodies (IOFB) (20.8%), and 1 mixed rupture/IOFB injury (0.5%). Presenting visual acuity (VA) was worse than 20/200 in 112 eyes (65.9%) and no light perception (NLP) in 10 eyes (5.8%). Final VA worse than 20/200 occurred in 64 eyes (37.2%); 11 eyes underwent enucleation. In comparison to non-work-related OGIs (420 eyes), we found significant differences in types and zones of injury, initial and final mean VA, enucleation rate, incidence of cataracts, hyphema, retinal detachment, hemorrhagic choroidals, and afferent pupillary defect (APD). Using multivariate analysis, significant prognostic factors for a final VA of NLP were zone 3 injury, rupture injury, and initial VA of NLP. Risk factors for enucleation included zone 3 injury, APD, and endophthalmitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Work-related injuries were noted to have a much higher incidence of IOFBs and cataracts compared to non-work-related OGIs. Zone 3 injuries, rupture injuries, and a presenting VA of NLP were found to be significant predictors for a final VA of NLP. Zone 3 injury, APD, and endophthalmitis were found to be significant predictors for enucleation.

The prevalence and risk factors of ocular trauma: the Singapore Indian eye study

PURPOSE

To describe the prevalence and risk factors of ocular trauma in an urban Southeast Asian population.

METHODS

A population-based survey of 3,400 (75.6% response rate) adults of Indian ethnicity aged 40-80 years residing in Singapore was conducted in 2007-2009. An age-stratified (10-year age group) random sampling procedure was performed to select participants. Ocular trauma was defined as any eye injury requiring medical attention and any history of ocular trauma was documented using a standardized and validated questionnaire comprising seven questions. Potential risk factors associated with ocular trauma included age, gender, socioeconomic status, occupation, housing type, alcohol consumption, smoking, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and history of falls.

RESULTS

Ocular trauma was reported in 5.1% (n = 162; 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.3-6.1%) of the study population, of whom 26.5% (n = 43) required hospitalization. A total of 42.0% (n = 68) of cases resulted from a blunt object, 36.4% (n = 59) from a sharp object, and 15.4% (n = 25) from chemical burns. After adjusting for age and sex, men had a higher prevalence of ocular trauma (7.1% vs. 3.0%, age-adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.2, 95% CI 1.6-3.1). A history of cigarette smoking was associated with higher likelihood of ocular trauma (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.4) but not consumption of alcohol (OR 1.0, 95% CI 0.6-1.6).

CONCLUSIONS

One in twenty Indian adults in this urban Southeast Asian population had a history of ocular trauma, similar to the prevalence reported in Malays living in Singapore. Men and cigarette smokers were more likely to have incurred ocular trauma.

Civil engineering airman at increased risk for injuries and injury-related musculoskeletal disorders

BACKGROUND

With the advent of electronic records, the opportunity to conduct research on workplace-related injuries and musculoskeletal disorders has increased dramatically. The purpose of this study was to examine the United States Air Force Civil Engineering career field to determine if they are negatively impacted by their work environment. Specifically, the objective of this study was to determine if enlisted Civil Engineering Airmen (n = 25,385) were at increased risk for injury or injury-related musculoskeletal disorders compared to enlisted Information Management/Communications Airmen (n = 28,947).

METHODS

Using an historical prospective design, electronic data were assembled and analyzed using Cox's proportional hazards modeling. Models were stratified by gender and adjusted for race/ethnicity, marital status, birth year, and deployment status.

RESULTS

Male Civil Engineers were observed to be at greater risk for both inpatient injury-related musculoskeletal disorders (HR = 1.86; 95% CI = 1.54-2.26) and injuries (HR = 1.77; 95% CI = 1.48-2.11), while female Civil Engineers were more than double the risk for both inpatient injury-related musculoskeletal disorders (HR = 2.18; 95% CI = 1.28-3.73) and injuries (HR = 2.22; 95% CI = 1.27-3.88) compared to Information Management/Communications Airmen.

CONCLUSIONS

Although analyses do not allow exploration of specific causes, they highlight the utility of using electronic data to identify occupations for further evaluation. Based on these results, additional resources were allocated to survey Civil Engineers on their physical work demands and job requirements to identify key problem areas for further study and mitigation.