Ocular Health Status and Practises among the Workers of a Steel Rolling Mill in Nigeria
Dupe S. Ademola-Popoola1, Tanimowo Akande2, and Abdulkabir Ayanniyi1
1 Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria
2 Department of Community Health, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
Corresponding author: Dupe S. Ademola-Popoola
Department of Ophthalmology
University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital
Ilorin, Nigeria
GPO Box 4718
Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria
Telephone: +2348033929737
E-mail: dupsyp@yahoo.com
CEJOEM 2005, Vol.11. No.3.: 163–168
Key words:
Steel industry, eye protective devices, ocular pathology
Abstract:
Steel rolling mills potentially present ocular hazard. However, no study is known as yet that would deal
with the ocular health practices and ophthalmological status of the workers employed in this industry. In
this study, 107 steel rolling workers were surveyed for eye protection practices, previous eye injuries,
and present ocular status. Half of the workers possessed eye protective devices (EPD), however 31.6% of them
never used it. Of the latter, 68.9% reported history of work-related eye injuries: 8 cases at drilling (12.9%),
18 at welding (29.0%), 13 at grinding (21%), and 23 cases at other work processes (37.1%). Uncorrected visual
acuity (≤ 6/18) was found in 54.2% of the workers (increased to 96% by refraction correction) caused
by uncorrected ametropia (20.6%), uncorrected presbyopia (11.3%), glaucoma (7.5%), and pterygium (2.8%).
In conclusion, regular ophthalmological screening and adequate treatment of the abnormalities found should be an integral part of the occupational health measures in steel industries.
Received: 11 October 2005
Accepted: 13 January 2006
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