Metallic corneal foreign bodies: an occupational health hazard

Purpose: To analyze the risk factors, outcomes, demographic characteristics, and attitudes of workers with metallic corneal foreign body (FB) injury. Methods: One hundred consecutive patients who presented with a metallic corneal FB to the eye clinic at Diyarbakir Training and Research Hospital were evaluated. The patients completed a questionnaire and were examined to determine features of the injury. Results: All patients were male. The mean age was 32.46 ± 1.03 years. Fiftyfive percent of the patients were unregistered workers, 59% were working in the metal industry sector, and 65% injuries resulted from metal cutting. Protective goggles were available in the workplace of 64% patients. However, 57% patients were not wearing goggles when the accident occurred, and 43% were injured despite goggle use. Most patients (52%) attempted to remove FBs by themselves. FBs were located in the central zone of the cornea in 16% patients. Rust marks remained after FB removal in 26% patients. Corneal scars from previous FB injuries were present in 58% patients. Only 8% workplaces provided compensation for physician visits for occupation related illnesses. Conclusions: Workplaces with a high risk for eye injuries should increase their protective measures, and educational programs should be implemented for both workers and occupational physicians. The government should enforce laws regarding unregistered workers in a better manner.

研究目的：分析金属性角膜异物（metallic corneal foreign body, FB）损伤劳动者的危险因素、预后情况、人口统计学特征及职业态度。研究方法：连续纳入迪亚巴克尔培训与研究医院眼科门诊就诊的100例金属性角膜异物损伤患者作为研究对象，所有患者均填写调查问卷并接受眼部检查，以明确损伤相关特征。研究结果：所有受试者均为男性，平均年龄为32.46±1.03岁。55%的患者为无注册登记的务工人员，59%就职于金属加工行业，65%的损伤事件由金属切割操作引发。64%的患者工作场所配备防护护目镜，但57%的患者在事故发生时未佩戴护目镜，另有43%的患者虽规范佩戴护目镜仍发生眼部损伤。多数患者（52%）尝试自行取出角膜异物。16%的患者异物位于角膜中央区域，26%的患者在异物取出后仍残留角膜锈迹，58%的患者既往存在角膜异物损伤遗留的瘢痕。仅8%的工作场所为职业相关疾病的门诊诊疗提供费用补偿。研究结论：眼部损伤高风险工作场所应进一步强化防护措施，同时需针对劳动者及职业医师开展专项健康教育项目。政府应优化针对无注册务工人员的相关法律法规执行机制。