Effect of Occupational Dust on Eye Defect of Timber Workers in Abakaliki Ebonyi State

Human activities, especially in occupational settings, are linked with various hazards that may cause injuries or diseases gradually and often unnoticed. These activities frequently alter environmental conditions, generating hazards that impact health. The aim of this study is to determined the effect of occupational dust on eye defect of timber workers in Abakaliki Ebonyi state. A structure questionnaire consisting of 26 items was given to 84 respondents in the study area. The questionnaire comprised of five sections; Section one: Personal and socio demographic data Section two: Occupational characteristics which includes; years of experiences, duration of working hours, usage of eye personal protective equipment. Section three: General and ocular medical history which includes; diabetes, previous eye injury, previous eye surgery. Section four: Present history of ocular symptoms like; pain in the eye, blurry vision, eye dryness, itchy eyes ,gritty sensation, watery eye, burning eye, sensitivity to the eye. Snellen chart and Ishihara chart was used for measuring the visual acuity and colour blindness. Data generated with Snellen chart and Ishihara chart for measuring the visual acuity and colour blindness and also the aid of the questionnaire from some of the timber workers was entered in the Microsoft Excel spread sheet (SPSS version 23). It was analyzed using a descriptive analysis and qualitative data. The Gender of the timber workers and occupational hazards were tested using ANOVA at 5%. This study shows that there is a significant high prevalence of ocular defects among sawmill workers which is due to lack of protective eye wear and lack of basic knowledge on the effect of wood dust and as such they remain continuously exposed to the risk of timber dust. Consequently, there is a need for proper education occupational ocular injuries and its preventions.