Effectiveness of interventions to prevent work-related eye injuries.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review was to describe the effectiveness of interventions designed to prevent work-related eye injuries in construction, manufacturing, and agricultural industries. Two types of interventions were of interest: (1) effectiveness of different types of eye protection and/or environmental controls in the workplace, and (2) evaluation of behavioral interventions focused on increasing the use of eye protection among at-risk workers.
METHODS: Cochrane Collaboration search strategies were used to identify reports of the effectiveness of interventions designed to prevent eye injuries. To be included, a measurable outcome (change in eye injury rates, use of eye protection or costs for eye injury care) had to be reported. Studies that focused on exposures to lasers, radiation or microwaves were not included.
RESULTS: Seven reports met inclusion criteria-all from industrial settings. None of the studies was a controlled trial and only one involved a comparison group.
CONCLUSIONS: Although there is some evidence that policy changes are effective in changing behaviors and reducing eye injuries in manufacturing settings either in conjunction with a broader program focused on eye safety or by policy alone, there is limited scientific literature about the effectiveness of eye injury prevention interventions. There is a need for systematic evaluation of interventions designed to prevent eye injuries and to change the overall safety culture.