Acute work-related hazardous eye exposures in a health care environment – An observational study from a tertiary care hospital in South India

PURPOSE: Healthcare workers (HCW) are exposed to numerous occupation-related eye hazards. We studied the epidemiological distribution, risk factors, and severity of acute work-related hazardous exposure/infection (WRHEI) to the eyes of HCW in a tertiary healthcare institution in Southern India. METHODS: In this prospective observational study, we included HCW who reported acute WRHEI between February 15, 2017 and August 14, 2017 from a total 11,628 HCWs (staff and students). Each HCW underwent a comprehensive eye examination. Information regarding WRHEI was collected by a structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Version 20.0. RESULTS: Cumulative incidence of acute WRHEI in 6 months was 0.8%, 95% CI (0.64–0.96). Among the 94 reporting WRHEI, 82 (87.2%) were staff and 12 (12.8%) students. Mean age was 31.53 ± 8.39 years and 65 (69%) were females. Exposures were reported more commonly among nurses (25.5%), followed by technicians (18%), and housekeeping staff (15.9%). Infectious eye hazards accounted for 50%. Noninfectious eye hazards included exposure to chemicals (28%) and blood and body fluid (8%). Among them, awareness regarding personal protective equipment (PPE) and its usage was present in 44.6 and 27.6%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that HCWs working in clinical areas (adjusted odd’s ratio (AOR): 3.23, 95% CI: 1.12–9.34) and not wearing glasses (AOR: 3.72, 95% CI: 1.33–10.34) had a significantly higher risk of acute WRHEI. CONCLUSION: Cumulative Incidence of WRHEI eye was 8 per 1000 in 6 months. Infectious conjunctivitis is half the burden followed by chemical exposures. Awareness regarding eye safety and usage of PPE was low.