Binocular Vision Status in Coal Miners

Context: Low light in mines can cause ocular problems such as binocular vision impairment and poor hand-eye coordination. These eye diseases must be monitored.

Aims: To evaluate the binocular vision status of coal mine workers.

Settings and design: This was a prospective cross-sectional study of the coal mining industry in Digwadih, Jharkhand.

Methods and material: In the present study, 134 coal miners underwent a thorough, comprehensive ocular examination and binocular vision evaluation; seventy were excluded because of ocular disorders. After discussing the goals of the study, the subjects provided signed informed consent. For statistical analysis, descriptive statistics were analyzed using Microsoft Excel. The normality of the data was then verified using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test.

Results: All participants were male and aged between 25 and 35 years. Nonstrabismus binocular vision dysfunctions (NSBVDs) were observed in coal miners. Convergence insufficiency was the most prevalent factor. Apart from the NSBVD, many coal miners have a chalazion with the highest percentile of 11.2.

Conclusions: Poor mine lighting causes NSBVD, which affects miners' vision. Binocular vision defects may reduce productivity if not detected or treated.