A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of ocular diseases among the migratory workers and their family members in a sugar factory located in a the rural area of Ahmednagar district. The study was undertaken to determine the relationship of socio-demographic factors like age, sex, literacy and socio-economic status to the prevalence of ocular diseases in this defined population. A total of 300 workers including their family members were screened by clinical examination at their workplace. Ocular morbidity was more prevalent among males (63%) than females (37%) and more in the age group of 5 to 20 years. There was a high prevalence of refractive errors (23%), cataract (11%), corneal opacities (10%), pterygium (9%), chronic dacryocystitis (4%), glaucoma (3%) and allergic conjunctivitis (12%). Posterior segment disorders were found in 8.33% of total population of the study. The study concludes that there is a need to evolve a strategy for reducing the burden of ocular diseases and improve eye health under the existing infrastructure of health care delivery for this migratory population.

ocular morbidity Migratory workers

rural area educational status food industry occupational disease human sex difference refraction error eye disease morbidity migrant worker cross-sectional study workplace cornea opacity clinical examination male preschool child female population research prevalence Article major clinical study adult sugar industry age dacryocystitis allergic conjunctivitis glaucoma industrial worker pterygium cataract disease association health care delivery Child