Work-Related Eye Injuries Among Welders in Onitsha Industrial Market, Anambra State

Welders represent one of the most at-risk occupational groups for work-related eye injuries due to their sustained exposure to ultraviolet radiation, metal fumes, and high-velocity projectiles. This study assessed the prevalence, types, and risk factors of work-related eye injuries among welders at the Onitsha Industrial Market, Anambra State, South East Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive design was utilized, and 160 welders were recruited through census sampling. Primary data were obtained via a structured questionnaire and eye examination records from the occupational health clinic at Onitsha Main Hospital. Results showed that 58.1 percent of respondents had experienced at least one eye injury over their career, with photokeratitis (arc eye) being the most frequent diagnosis, followed by foreign body penetration and chemical burns. Eye protection equipment was used by only 27.5 percent of welders, with most citing discomfort and cost as barriers to regular use. Injury occurrence was significantly associated with non-use of protective goggles, working for over eight hours continuously, and inadequate lighting in workspaces. Healthcare-seeking behavior for eye injuries was generally delayed, with 49.4 percent opting for self-treatment. The study recommends affordable eye protection equipment supply, mandatory occupational health orientation for new welders, and the deployment of mobile eye health services to industrial market settings in Anambra State. Keywords: eye injuries, welders, photokeratitis, occupational safety, Onitsha.