Abstract
Background
Construction-related ocular injuries are an important cause of vision loss but few studies on the incidence, epidemiology and nature of these injuries exist.
Aims
Due to the perceived increase in occupation-related eye injuries in non-nationals we aimed to investigate the nature of such injuries presenting to a single eye unit over a two-month period.
Methods
One hundred and fifty-five patients presenting to the accident and emergency department with construction related ocular injury were examined.
Results
Of 155 patients, 80 were Irish and 75 non-national, of whom 60, 21.3 and 6.7% were Polish, Lithuanian and Romanian, respectively. Common causative factors included hammering, grinding, drilling and splash injury. Average rate of eyewear protection usage was 35%, with attendance at safety courses highest in Irish nationals. A penetrating eye injury rate of 4.9% overall was observed, all in non-nationals.
Conclusion
Construction related ocular injury is a serious cause of visual loss in non-nationals. Greater adherence to safety regulations and training is required.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ore T, Stout NA (1996) Traumatic occupational fatalities in the US and Australian construction industries. Am J Indust Med 30:202–206
Jeong BY (1998) Occupational deaths and injuries in the construction industry. Appl Ergon 29:355–360
Xia Z, Courtney TK, Sorock GS et al (2000) Fatal occupational injuries in a new development are in the Peoples’s Republic of China. J Occup Environ Med 42:917–922
Xia Z, Sorock GS, Zhu J et al (2000) Fatal occupational injuries in the construction industry of a new development area in East China. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 61:733–737
Kisner SM, Fosbroke DE (1994) Injury hazards in the construction industry. J Occup Environ Med 36:137–143
Ringen K (1994) National conference on ergonomics, safety, and health in construction. Am J Indust Med 25:775–781
Welch LS, Hunting KL, Mawudeku A et al (2001) Injury surveillance in construction: eye injuries. App Ind Hyg 7:755–762
Glynn RJ, Seddon JR, Berlin BM et al (1988) The incidence of eye injuries in New England Adults. Arch of Ophthalmol 106:785–789
Bureau of Labour Statistics: lost-work time injuries and illnesses. Characteristics and Resulting time away from work 1997 US Department of Labour
Dannenberg AL, Parver LM, Brechner RJ et al (1992) Penetrating eye injuries in the workplace. Arch of Ophthalmol 110:843–848
Eye injuries in construction (2002) National Institute for Occupational Health
AIB Global Treasury Economic Research (2005) Government Publication
White MF, Morris R, Feist RM et al (1989) Eye injury: prevalence and prognosis by setting. South Med J 82:151–158
George Washington University (1997) Department of Environmental and Occupational Health. An eye injury success story. On the job, 1:2
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Connell, P.P., Saddak, T., Harrison, I. et al. Construction-related eye injuries in Irish nationals and non-nationals: attitudes and strategies for prevention. Ir J Med Sci 176, 11–14 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-007-0002-5
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-007-0002-5