Abstract
BackgroundHeavy lifting may lead to sudden increase in venous, intra-abdominal, and intraocular pressure which in turn may cause retinal detachment (RD). The epidemiological evidence for this association is still inconclusive. This study was carried out to investigate the relationship between occupational heavy lifting and RD.MethodsA case-control study was carried out on 151 RD cases and 113 controls free of RD attending the ophthalmology outpatient clinic at Ain Shams University. Personal, medical, and occupational data were collected using interview questionnaires in addition to conducting full ophthalmologic examination.ResultsThe mean age of study participants was 45.8 ± 9.1 years (46.8 ± 8.9, 44.4 ± 9.2 for RD cases and controls respectively). Statistically significant differences were found between cases and controls regarding years of working, occupational categories, frequency of occupational heavy lifting, non-work heavy lifting, history of head trauma, history of eye surgeries, and family history of RD. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that lifting (Odds ratio (OR) = 4.8, p < 0.0001), history of head trauma (OR = 3.3, p = 0.013), diabetes mellitus (DM) (OR = 4.96, p < 0.0001), and previous eye surgeries (OR = 3.5, p = 0.003) increased the risk of RD.ConclusionOccupational heavy lifting is associated with RD. Occupational categories, duration of lifting heavy objects during work and family history of RD had a significant effect on RD. An ergonomic approach should be adopted and practiced as it has a significant impact on reducing the risks of lifting and carrying heavy objects. The workplace’s design (including having appropriate mechanical aids available) is also of significant importance to reducing the risks. During the patient’s visit, ophthalmologists should consider and look for the occupational heavy lifting history as a potential risk factor of the patient’s symptoms.
Highlights
1 Introduction Retinal detachment (RD) is a serious ophthalmologic disorder, which can lead to irreversible loss of vision
The occupations were classified according to history of occupational heavy lifting into 2 categories: a group including occupations strongly associated with heavy lifting and another group including occupations not typically associated with heavy lifting and in which heavy lifting is unlikely to occur
Occupational heavy lifting is defined by the Bureau of Labor statistics as carrying about 5–11 kg constantly, 11.5–22.5 kg frequently or 23–45 kg occasionally at work [12]. 3- Participant’s history of heavy lifting: frequency in relation to total working time, and average weight lifted at work. 4- Participant’s medical and ophthalmologic history in addition to other risk factors to confirm the diagnosis of retinal detachment (RD) and investigate the causal relationship with some factors
Summary
Retinal detachment (RD) is a serious ophthalmologic disorder, which can lead to irreversible loss of vision. It occurs when sub-retinal fluid accumulates in the space between the neurosensory retina and the underlying retinal epithelium. Previous studies have revealed an association between heavy lifting involving the valsalva manoeuvre (forceful exhalation against a closed glottis), and a sudden increase in venous, intra-abdominal, and intraocular. Mostafa et al Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association (2021) 96:31 pressure [3, 4] This increased pressure causes a decompensation at the levels of the retinal capillary bed, resulting in retinal hemorrhages: either unilateral or bilateral [5]. Heavy lifting may lead to sudden increase in venous, intra-abdominal, and intraocular pressure which in turn may cause retinal detachment (RD). This study was carried out to investigate the relationship between occupational heavy lifting and RD
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