Abstract

Objective: To investigate the relationship between uncorrected or untreated vision problems and occupational injuries in the adolescent and adult population in Australia.

Design: National Health Survey conducted via personal interviews with a stratified random sample.

Setting: Population-based.

Subjects: Individuals selected from the total population aged 15 or older.

Exposure measures: Information on uncorrected or untreated vision problems was collected by personal interview via responses to screening questions.

Main outcome measures: Information on occupational injuries also collected via personal interview.

Results: After adjustment for potential confounders, the odds of occupational injury increased by ∼60% (OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.11 to 2.24) for those who had any uncorrected or untreated vision problems, and by 3½ times (OR = 3.52, 95% CI = 1.64 to 7.55) for those with untreated macular degeneration compared with healthy subjects.

Conclusions: Uncorrected or untreated vision problems, particularly macular degeneration, significantly increased the risk of occupational injury. Vision examination should be recommended and implemented regularly for all workers.