A E Omoti1, J M Waziri-Erameh, M E Enock. 1. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. afeomoti@yahoo.com
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the ocular disorders in the petroleum industry in Warri, Nigeria. METHODS: A clinic-based prospective study of the pattern of ocular disorders in workers of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation in Warri, Delta state of Nigeria was carried out over a 1-year period. Technical and non-technical workers were interviewed and examined using the Snellen's chart, pen-torch, direct ophthalmoscope, slit-lamp biomicroscope, Perkin's hand-held applanation tonometer, and the Kowa automatic visual field plotter where indicated. RESULTS: A total of 154 technical workers comprising 146 males (94.8%) and eight females (5.2%), and 116 non-technical workers comprising 90 males (77.6%) and 26 females (22.4%) were seen. There was no reported case of ocular trauma. Symptoms suggestive of ocular irritation were much more common in technical workers. Allergic conjunctivitis, pterygium, corneal abrasion, and foreign body on the cornea were significantly more common in technical workers P<0.0001. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to irritant chemicals in the petroleum industry makes the technical workers more prone to allergic conjunctivitis, pterygium, corneal abrasion, and foreign body on the cornea. Protection goggles should be provided for all the technical workers.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the ocular disorders in the petroleum industry in Warri, Nigeria. METHODS: A clinic-based prospective study of the pattern of ocular disorders in workers of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation in Warri, Delta state of Nigeria was carried out over a 1-year period. Technical and non-technical workers were interviewed and examined using the Snellen's chart, pen-torch, direct ophthalmoscope, slit-lamp biomicroscope, Perkin's hand-held applanation tonometer, and the Kowa automatic visual field plotter where indicated. RESULTS: A total of 154 technical workers comprising 146 males (94.8%) and eight females (5.2%), and 116 non-technical workers comprising 90 males (77.6%) and 26 females (22.4%) were seen. There was no reported case of ocular trauma. Symptoms suggestive of ocular irritation were much more common in technical workers. Allergic conjunctivitis, pterygium, corneal abrasion, and foreign body on the cornea were significantly more common in technical workers P<0.0001. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to irritant chemicals in the petroleum industry makes the technical workers more prone to allergic conjunctivitis, pterygium, corneal abrasion, and foreign body on the cornea. Protection goggles should be provided for all the technical workers.
Authors: Muhammad Mohsin; Hengbin Yin; Weilun Huang; Shijun Zhang; Luyao Zhang; Ana Mehak Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-03-22 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Emmanuel Kwasi Abu; Samuel Bert Boadi-Kusi; Prince Quarcoo Opuni; Samuel Kyei; Andrew Owusu-Ansah; Charles Darko-Takyi Journal: J Ophthalmic Vis Res Date: 2016 Jan-Mar