眼と労働災害

Workers’ accident is one of the most important and frequent causes of ocular injury. The latest review of ocular injuries in our institute during the foregoing 3 years shows 94 cases (31.4%) of all 296 patients of ocular injuries were caused by accidents during occupational work, which was the most frequent situation. Although ophthalmology has made advances in recent years, the prognosis of severe ocular injuries have not improved yet. And it is also important that these injuries mainly occurs to young and middle aged people. In addition to acute injuries, ophthalmological examinations are given to people handling organic solvents, radioactive rays or others, which are harmful to their eyes. Ocular injuries are classified into 1 ) mechanical injuries, 2 ) physical injuries, 3 ) chemical injuries by their causes, and into 1 ) eyelids, 2 ) globes, 3 ) orbits by injured parts. In these, ocular perforating injuries and globe rupture caused by blunt injuries are especially svere, and make serious aftereffects on our vision. Chemical injuries or scalds which injurs the ocular surface needs to be treated without a moment’s delay. Traumatic optic neuropathy is not sometimes easy to diagnose because of its poor objective findings. Traumatic cataract, glaucoma, retinal detachment, and other latent complications can occur in globe injuries. Injuries, including ocular injuries, need to be diagnosed their severity immidiately, and treated properly. While it is important that we obtein correct knowledge about ocular injury to prevent hazards and improve working circumstances.