Indian Journal of Ophthalmology

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year
: 2020  |  Volume : 68  |  Issue : 1  |  Page : 54--57

Etiological causes and epidemiological characteristics of patients with occupational corneal foreign bodies: A prospective study in a hospital-based setting in India


Charu Agrawal1, Shenouda Girgis2, Aditya Sethi1, Vaibhav Sethi1, Manisha Konale1, Parul Lokwani1, Reena Sethi1 
1 Department of Community Ophthalmology, Arunodaya Deseret Eye Hospital, Gurgaon, Haryana, India
2 Department of Ophthalmology, Universoty of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

Correspondence Address:
Dr. Aditya Sethi
Arunodaya Deseret Eye Hospital, Plot NH4, Sector 55, Gurugram - 122 011, Haryana
India

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. 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. 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. 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.


How to cite this article:
Agrawal C, Girgis S, Sethi A, Sethi V, Konale M, Lokwani P, Sethi R. Etiological causes and epidemiological characteristics of patients with occupational corneal foreign bodies: A prospective study in a hospital-based setting in India.Indian J Ophthalmol 2020;68:54-57


How to cite this URL:
Agrawal C, Girgis S, Sethi A, Sethi V, Konale M, Lokwani P, Sethi R. Etiological causes and epidemiological characteristics of patients with occupational corneal foreign bodies: A prospective study in a hospital-based setting in India. Indian J Ophthalmol [serial online] 2020 [cited 2024 Mar 29 ];68:54-57
Available from: https://journals.lww.com/ijo/pages/default.aspx/article.asp?issn=0301-4738;year=2020;volume=68;issue=1;spage=54;epage=57;aulast=Agrawal;type=0