Eye health status of government employed drivers in Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Driving requires good vision for safe and effective execution. Eye examination is required before issuance of drivers’ license, but seldom conducted. Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the visual status of drivers in the Enugu state government house and to determine the adequacy of their vision for the job. Materials and Methods: Case files of drivers working in the government house that came for eye check in May 2015, at Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Teaching hospital were retrieved. Sociodemographic data, relevant history, and clinical ophthalmic findings were reviewed. Descriptive and inferential statistics were done using the Epi-info (version 7.2.4.0). A value of P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Fifty drivers’ case files were selected, of which 47 (94%) had complete information and 3 (6%) case files were grossly inadequate and were thus discarded. All were men aged 27–59 years. The mean age was 49.787 ± 7.3 years. Three (6%) underwent a visual test before obtaining their first drivers’ license. None had a comprehensive eye examination at employment. Eye tests are not regularly conducted. Forty-one (87.23%) had mild, 4 (8.51%) moderate, and 2 (4.26%) had severe visual impairment. Refractive errors accounted for 76.60% of ocular morbidities. Thirty-five (81.40%) of the 43 (91.49%) drivers who were above 40 years had presbyopia. Four (8.51%) were below 40 years, and only one was presbyopic (odds ratio [OR] 11.333; 95%; confidence interval [CI] 1.049–122.393; P = 0.0459). Glaucoma accounted for 10.64%. Esterman’s efficiency score showed 91.49% with scores of 96–100. Conclusion: Uncorrected refractive errors were quite common among the drivers. Periodic eye tests should be performed on drivers. This should be enforced to ensure safer road travel.