Vision-related problems among the workers engaged in jewellery manufacturing

Abstract

Background:American Optometric Association defines Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) as “complex of eye and vision problems related to near work which are experienced during or related to computer use.” This happens when visual demand of the tasks exceeds the visual ability of the users. Even though problems were initially attributed to computer-related activities subsequently similar problems are also reported while carrying any near point task. Jewellery manufacturing activities involves precision designs, setting the tiny metals and stones which requires high visual attention and mental concentration and are often near point task. It is therefore expected that the workers engaged in jewellery manufacturing may also experience symptoms like CVS.Aim:Keeping the above in mind, this study was taken up (1) To identify the prevalence of symptoms like CVS among the workers of the jewellery manufacturing and compare the same with the workers working at computer workstation and (2) To ascertain whether such symptoms have any permanent vision-related problems.Setting and Design:Case control study.Materials and Methods:The study was carried out in Zaveri Bazaar region and at an IT-enabled organization in Mumbai. The study involved the identification of symptoms of CVS using a questionnaire of Eye Strain Journal, opthalmological check-ups and measurement of Spontaneous Eye Blink rate. The data obtained from the jewellery manufacturing was compared with the data of the subjects engaged in computer work and with the data available in the literature.Statistical Analysis:A comparative inferential statistics was used.Results and Conclusion:Results showed that visual demands of the task carried out in jewellery manufacturing were much higher than that of carried out in computer-related work.

Visual symptoms associated with refractive errors among Thangka artists of Kathmandu valley

“…In contrast, the symptom of watery eye was significantly higher among the NCG ( p = 0.02) than the REG. Many studies [ 18 , 25 – 28 ] reported symptoms associated with near work, but the type of symptom was different depending upon the nature of work. Untimanon et al (2008) have reported eye burning (26.6%), eye pain (14.0%) and eye irritation (11.2%) among electronic and jeweler workers [ 26 ].…”

“…Similarly, Amelia et al, (2010) have reported a high prevalence of asthenopia at 69.7% among computer using students as a result of accommodative insufficiency [ 27 ]. Salve has reported not only the high prevalence of symptoms (65.2%), but also a high level of job related complaints among jeweler manufacturing workers [ 28 ]. In the Wajuihian study, headache was the most prevalent symptom that accounted for 40.8% of all symptoms among school age children [ 18 ].…”

Untitled

“…Even though problems were initially reported to computer related activities subsequently similar problems are also reported while carrying other types of near point tasks [8]. It is clear that these problems occur to a greater extent in computer workers as well as in workers in other highly visually demanding occupations.…”

“…Vision related problems were also reported among the jeweler manufacturing workers than computer workers and graduate students. The symptoms related to visual, ocular surface, photophobia and musculoskeletal problems were significantly higher for the jeweler manufacturing workers [3,8,14]. The possibility of manifesting such symptoms could be related to the jewelry manufacturing workers having been exposed to lower illumination level and longer duration of work, had shorter blink rate, shorter viewing distances, smaller visual angles and lower contrast jobs.…”

A cross sectional overview of digital eye strain: a growing health concern in this digital age in central India (Madhya Pradesh)

“…Study done by Krupinski et al and Salve et al on radiologists and workers engaged in jewellery manufacturing respectively revealed that these professions also pose risk in terms of high visual demands in their work hours and resulted in visual strain symptoms similar to digital eye strain. 26,27 Lodina et al demonstrated significant increase in neck/shoulder 1 2.5 6.5…”