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African Health Sciences
Makerere University Medical School
ISSN: 1680-6905 EISSN: 1680-6905
Vol. 12, No. 2, 2012, pp. 210-216
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Bioline Code: hs12035
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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African Health Sciences, Vol. 12, No. 2, 2012, pp. 210-216
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Pattern of eye diseases among welders in a Nigeria community
Ajayi, Iyiade A. & Omotoye, Olusola J.
Abstract
Background: Welders have been identified as a high risk group for eye disorders due to their exposure to ultraviolet
radiation.
Objective: To determine the prevalence and types of eye diseases amongst welders in Ile-Ife, Osun state.
Methods: This is a cross sectional descriptive study of 405 consenting welders. Information on socio-demographic
characteristics was obtained using a pre-tested proforma and all subjects had visual actuity test, anterior and posterior
segments examination, test of stereopsis and macular function.
Results: Two hundred and seventy five (67.9%) of the respondents were arc welders, 99(22.5%) were gas welders while
39(9.6%) utilized both welding techniques. The age of the respondents ranged from 16 years to 80 years with a mean of
38 ± 13 years. Conjunctival degenerative disorders like pingueculum (50.1%) and pterygium(17.5%) constituted the
commonest eye disorders among the welders. There were 6 blind eyes of 5 welders with pigmentary maculopathy accounting
for the single case of bilateral blindness. There is a greater odd in developing pingueculum and Pterygium (OR=1.015, 1.039
respectively) in arc welders than in gas welders.
Conclusion: Pingueculum, Pterygium, corneal opacity, and pigmentary macular deposits were the common eye disorders
among welders.
Keywords
eye disorders, welders, Nigeria
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