| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2013 | Volume
: 61
| Issue : 9 | Page : 497-501 |
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Causes and characteristics of work-related eye injuries in western Turkey
Mustafa Serinken1, Ibrahim Turkcuer1, Ebru Nevin Cetin2, Atakan Yilmaz1, Hayri Elicabuk1, Ozgur Karcioglu3
1 Department of Emergency Medicine, Pamukkale University, School of Medicine, Denizli, Turkey
2 Department of Ophthalmology, Pamukkale University, School of Medicine, Denizli, Turkey
3 Department of Emergency Medicine, Acibadem University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
Correspondence Address:
Mustafa Serinken
Pamukkale University Medical School, Department of Emergency Medicine, 20070, Denizli
Turkey
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0301-4738.119435
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Objectives: To analyze descriptive data and characteristics of work-related eye injuries (WREI) admitted into the emergency department (ED) and obtain information to utilize in planning measures to prevent WREI. Materials and Methods: This prospective study recruited patients with WREI admitted to the center in the two-year study period. Only the casualties occurred at the workplace and while working constituted the sample. The data were collected via face-to-face contact in the ED. Results: Males comprised the majority of the sample (95.3%, n = 778) and mean age of the patients was 28.1 ± 6.5 (range: 15-54) with the biggest percentage in between 25 and 34 years of age (46.2%, n = 377). Most patients were working in the metal and machinery sectors (66.4%, n = 542). Nearly half of the patients had less than 1 year of experience (50.4%, n = 411). The most common mechanism of WREI was noted to be exposures to welding light (26.9%, n = 219), followed by drilling/cutting injuries (21.1%, n = 172). "Carelessness" and "hurrying up" were the most commonly reported causes of WREIs among 'worker-related causes' (21.4% and 16.1%, respectively). Lack of protective measures ranked the highest among workplace-related causes (18.7%, n = 207). Conclusions: Programs to increase awareness on workplace safety and sound preventive strategies for both parties-employers and employees are to be pursued. Occupational safety efforts should include training on workplace eye safety and campaigns to raise knowledgeability on this disease among workers. |
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