The Evonik-Mainz-Eye-Care-Study (EMECS): Design and Execution of the Screening Investigation

Abstract

PurposeTo determine if screening for major ophthalmological diseases is feasible within the frame of routine occupational medicine examinations in a large working population.Methods13037 employees of Evonik Industries aged 40 to 65 years were invited to be screened for major ophthalmological diseases (glaucoma, age related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy between June 2007 and March 2008 within an extended setting of occupational medicine. Ophthalmological examinations consisted of visual acuity, objective refraction, pachymetry, tonometry, perimetry (frequency doubling technology), confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and digital fundus photography. Participants responded to a questionnaire addressing history of ocular and general diseases and social history.Results4183 participants (961 female and 3222 male) were examined at 13 different sites. Response rates for eligible persons at those sites ranged from 17.9 to 60.5% but were in part limited by availability of examination slots. Average age of participants was 48.4±5.4 years (mean ± SD). 4147 out of 4183 subjects (99.1%) had a visual acuity ≥0.5 in the better eye and 3665 out of 4183 (87.6%) subjects had a visual acuity ≥0.8 in the better eye. 1629 participants (38.9%) had previously not been seen by an ophthalmologist at all or not within the last three years.ConclusionThis article describes the study design and basic characteristics of study participants within a large occupational medicine based screening study for ophthalmological diseases. Response rates exceeded expectations and were limiting examination capacity. Meaningful data could be obtained for almost all participants. We reached participants who previously had not received ophthalmic care. Thus, ophthalmological screening appears to be feasible within the frame of routine occupational medicine examinations.

The Evonik-Mainz Eye Care-Study (EMECS): Development of an Expert System for Glaucoma Risk Detection in a Working Population

“…A detailed demographic description of the study group is given in the publication by Barleon et al [ 8 ]…”

“…Recruitment of study subjects, ophthalmological procedures and basic data are described elsewhere [ 8 ]. In brief, 4183 out of 13037 employees older than 40 years were examined at 13 sites of Evonik Industries between June 2007 and March 2008.…”

“…The routine eye examinations within occupational medicine (G25, G37) were described elsewhere [ 8 ]. Here we confined ourselves to the add-on examinations for glaucoma screening.…”

“…On the basis of legal requirements, companies in Germany offer occupational health supervision and medical exams to their employees to detect functional disorders which may influence the employee’s ability to work in their jobs. These exams include the so called G-examinations, G-37 for visual display unit (VDU) workplaces (to performed at least once within 3 years for ages > 40 years) and G-25 for driving, controlling and monitoring work (repeated every 2nd to 3rd year for ages > 40 years and every first to 2nd year for ages > 60 years) [ 8 ].…”

“…Based on these regulations, it seemed to be useful to add examinations for glaucoma screening within a trial. This approach has been described for a more general ophthalmological setting and cooperation with the occupational health sector in a large German chemical company [ 8 ]…”