Background: Ocular injuries, especially corneal foreign bodies (CFBs), are common among blue-collar professionals in India due to the insufficient use of protective eye equipment. This study aimed to the investigate the incidence and causes of suboptimal Eye Protective Device (EPD) usage. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary hospital from January to June 2024, including 102 patients with occupational CFBs. A structured questionnaire assessed demographics, occupational exposure, EPD usage, and awareness levels. Results: The mean age was 37.97 years. Welding (38.23%) and metal grinding (31.37%) were the leading causes of injury. Only 27.45% regularly used EPDs, 17.64% used them occasionally, and 54.90% never used them. Reasons for non-usage included lack of regulations (60.78%), unawareness (17.64%), and financial constraints (15.68%). Notably, 35.29% had previously attempted foreign body removal themselves. Despite 80.39% being aware of EPDs, usage remained low. Conclusion: There is a significant gap between awareness and practice regarding EPD usage. Enforcement of workplace safety laws and provision of affordable EPDs are essential to prevent CFBs and related complications.
Raj et al. (Wed,) studied this question.