Effect of the Working Environment on Oculo-Visual Health of Some Sand and Stone Miners in Ghana

Abstract

The health of the working population is an important prerequisite for productivity. The study therefore aimed at investigating the effect of the working environment on the oculo-visual health of some sand and stone mine workers in Ghana. A cross-sectional survey involving 247 sand and stone mine workers and 250 non-mine workers was conducted between February 2010 and May 2011. Structured interview was used to obtain information on demographics, ocular protective wear use, and ocular symptoms. External ocular assessments and distance visual acuity measurements were performed. While 45.7% of mine workers used either sunglasses or safety goggles, none of non-mine workers wore safety goggles; a few (8.8%) occasionally wore sunglasses. A significant proportion ( P ≤ 0.0001) of non-mine workers (59.2%) did not show ocular symptoms relative to the sand and stone miners. The vast majority (P ≤ 0.0001) of non-mine workers (75.2%) had no visible ocular findings compare to the sand and stone miners (32.4%). Among quarry workers, pterygium (24.3%), pingueculae (5.7%), inflammed eyes (18.2%), and scleral pigmentation 13.8% were significant (P ≤ 0.0001) findings which was not the case with non-mine workers. Visual acuity was however not significantly different (P > 0.05) with only approximately 5% from both categories recording moderate to very low (6/18 - 6/60) acuities. Although the working environment in the sand and stone mines seems to have no effect on visual acuity, it has detrimental effect on ocular structure which eventually could affect vision. Using appropriate ocular protectives and regular ocular examinations would be beneficial.