Vision Problems, Eye Care History, And Ocular Protection Among Migrant Farmworkers
Author: Quandt, Sarah
Date Published: 2008
In this article, the authors describe the self-reported eye conditions, eye-care history, and eye safety practices of migrant farmworkers in eastern North Carolina. The authors administered interviews to 70 farmworkers recruited at migrant clinics. Data collected included eye-related complaints and diagnoses, self-assessed visual acuity, eye symptoms, use of protective gear during work, and attitudes toward eye protection gear. Fair or poor eyesight was reported by 21.3. Only about 5 percent reported wearing glasses or contact lenses. More than 11 percent reported difficulty in recognizing a friend across the street and about 20 percent reported difficlty7 in reading. About 0 percent reported each of several eye symptoms. Fewer than one in 10 wore eye protection at work. Of all, 27 percent reported never having visited any eye-care professional. Farmworkers have a high level of unmet need for both routing preventative eye care and treatment or correction of vision problems.