title: Use of topical anesthetic and non-medical alternatives in welding workers regarding ophthalmic problems.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Welding workers' ophthalmic problems resulting from their professions are frequently observed in ophthalmic emergencies and can cause severe visual impairment. We aimed to investigate the use of topical anesthetic and non-medical alternatives of this population regarding ophthalmic problems in this study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 204 welding workers randomly selected from a population of 1852 people who had at least one-year experience as a welding worker and who were members of a chamber of welding workers. Data were collected at face to face interviews with a questionnaire composed of questions about ophthalmic problems caused by their profession and about how they eliminated these problems. Obtained data were analyzed with SPSS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 204 workers, 38.7% preferred non-medical alternatives including application of potatoes (22%), dressing with tea (17%), rinsing with cold water (3.4%) and closing eyes (2%). 30.5% of the participants used topical anesthetics (72% commercial and 28% prepared in pharmacies). There was a significant relation between use of non-medical methods and topical anesthetics, and workers' education, duration of work experience and receiving training from their seniors (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of non-medical methods and topical anesthetics by welding workers was found to be associated with low-education levels and insufficient knowledge about ophthalmologic problems due their professions and their treatment. They should be provided with appropriate training for the issue and precautions should be taken to prevent people from buying drugs without a prescription.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology .
authors.forename: Lokman
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aslan
authors.forename: Mustafa Haki
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Sucakli
authors.forename: Selim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bozkurt
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aslankurt
authors.forename: Adnan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aksoy
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Celik
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D004522:Educational Status; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D014896:Welding; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local
keywords: Ophthalmic complaints; topical anesthetics; welding workers