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Results for “Eye Protective Devices”

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At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Using respirators and goggles to control exposure to air pollutants in an anatomy laboratory.

BACKGROUND: Engineering or administrative methods are often insufficient or impractical to control exposure to chemicals in anatomy laboratories. This study explored the feasibility of wearing one or a combination of respirators and goggles used as personal protective equipment (PPE) to control exposure in one such laboratory. METHODS: A group of 28 subjects were briefly trained in wearing PPE, fit-tested, and asked to complete a questionnaire regarding their subjective reaction after wearing the assigned PPE ensemble while working in the laboratory. The subjects' exposure to formaldehyde was also measured and generally exceeded the recommended limits. RESULTS: When a full-face respirator or the combination of a half-mask respirator and goggles was worn, a majority of subjects reported no odor problem and no irritation to eyes or upper respiratory system. Subjects accepted the PPE to certain degrees, but those using respirators encountered difficulties communicating with others. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of a half-mask respirator and goggles was the most feasible ensemble to control exposure to air pollutants in an anatomy laboratory.

Adult↗

Effectiveness of community health workers for promoting use of safety eyewear by Latino farm workers.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate The Community Health Worker "promotor de salud" (CHW) model is evaluated as a tool for reducing eye injuries in Latino farm workers. METHODS: In 2001, 786 workers on 34 farms were divided into three intervention blocks: (A) CHWs provided protective eyewear and training to farm workers; (B) CHWs provided eyewear but no training to farm workers; (C) eyewear was distributed to farm workers with no CHW present and no training. RESULTS: Pre- and post-intervention questionnaires demonstrated greater self-reported use of eyewear in all blocks after the intervention (P < 0.0001), with Block A showing the greatest change compared to B (P < 0.0001) and C (P = 0.03); this was supported by field observations. Block A showed the greatest improvement in knowledge on questions related to training content. CONCLUSION: CHWs were an effective tool to train farm workers in eye health and safety, improving the use of personal protective equipment and knowledge.

Accidents, Occupational↗

Eye protection for the vascular surgeon.

Contamination occurring during vascular surgery was studied prospectively using a surgical mask incorporating a Splashguard visor. Over a 16-week period 78 vascular procedures were included; 44 were of < 2 h duration and 34 were of > or = 2 h. Contamination on both mask and visor from blood spots was recorded at the end of each procedure. Overall, 51 per cent of principal surgeons' visors were contaminated, with contamination of the mask itself in 32 per cent. When two surgeons were operating the contamination rate for the second was also high: 36 per cent for the visor and 42 per cent for the mask. Assistants had a contamination rate of 36 per cent for the visor and 13 per cent for the mask. The lowest rate of contamination occurred for the visor and mask of the scrub nurse, 10 and 4 per cent respectively. For emergency procedures the duration of operation had no influence on the frequency of contamination. However, for the principal surgeon elective operations of < 2 h duration were less likely to involve contamination than those of > or = 2 h (P < 0.035). Blood contamination of visors and masks is common in vascular surgery but rarely appreciated by the surgeon. Routine eye protection should be considered in vascular surgery, in particular for emergency and prolonged elective procedures.

Blood-Borne Pathogens↗

Prevention of hepatitis B infection: a survey of surgeons and interventional cardiologists.

Hepatitis B immunization and the use of protective measures against blood contamination were assessed in a group of clinicians associated with invasive procedures. A self-administered confidential questionnaire was sent to 140 surgeons and interventional cardiologists, of whom 105 (75 per cent) replied. Ninety-five respondents (90 per cent) were immunized against hepatitis B, most (63 per cent) by an occupational health department and the majority within 5 years of this study. Only 80 per cent had had their immunity tested after immunization. Barrier protective techniques were used infrequently, with 30 per cent of respondents wearing impermeable gowns, 14 per cent wearing visors and 9 per cent using double-gloving for all procedures. Department of Health guidelines on protection from hepatitis B were published after this survey and the implementation of these guidelines in an NHS trust hospital is discussed.

Cardiology↗

Inexpensive radiation protective glasses.

Using the services of a local optical supply house, fabrication and testing of eyeglasses of a high lead content that could be used to protect the eye from the hazards of radiation were evaluated. Two separate types of eyeglasses were manufactured (a prototype followed by a second pair), and these were tested against a commercially available pair of radiation protective glasses. The protection offered by the locally manufactured pair of glasses exceeded the commercial pair and the cost savings are significant.

Eye Protective Devices↗

Infection control practices and compliance to national recommendations among dentists in Romania.

The aim of this study was to measure dental office compliance with current Romanian infection control regulations. A questionnaire was completed and returned from 61 randomly selected offices (32 private and 29 public with 94 dentists), where the sterilizers were also biologically monitored. Results indicated that with few exceptions, infection control practices in public and private offices were the same, with compliance on sterilising reusable instruments. Private offices monitored their sterilizers more frequently and had much newer equipment. Gowns were universally worn, but use of gloves, masks and protective eye-wear showed non-compliance with less than 10 per cent of the offices using personal protective equipment for all patients. Cost was the deciding factor. Predominant environmental disinfectants were alcohol and bleach. Offices were in compliance as to the use of disposable anaesthetic needles and carpules. Dentists reported reluctance to be vaccinated against hepatitis B even when offered free immunizations (6.4 per cent) and only 18.1 per cent of dentists had received any infection control training in the last three years. Results indicate that offices were in compliance for most national regulations. However, there are no recently published standards for dentistry in Romania concerning disinfectants or continuing education. Comparison with the literature indicates comparable compliance with recommended national infection control procedures for Romanian dentists as for dentists in other countries.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

Occupational hygiene practices of dentists in southern Thailand.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence and nature of infection control, radiation control and handling of mercury, reported by dentists in southern Thailand. METHOD: A cross-sectional study with self-report questionnaire to all 220 dentists working in 14 provinces in southern Thailand in 1997. RESULTS: 178 dentists (80.9%) aged 22-54 years responded. All reported wearing personal protective measures, at least sometimes and using high level disinfection (formerly sterilisation) procedures for handpieces. Most (93.8%) reported changing sterilised handpieces for each patient. The most commonly reported method of high level disinfection was alcohol (37.1%). Just over two-thirds (68.0%) reported having HBV vaccination. Most (94.3%) reportedly took precautions when radiographs were taken and (89.9%) reported protecting their eyes with a UV/blue light shield or filter while using these units. About half of dentists (51.7%) reported storing excess amalgam under water compared with 20.1% that they stored it in a closed box. 77.7% reported using sealed mercury amalgam capsule systems, at least sometimes. Nearly half (47.1%) reported disposing of used capsules in the bin. CONCLUSIONS: The present study has indicated that occupational hygiene practices of dentists in southern Thailand are generally consistent with published guidelines for infection control and also with other populations of dentists studied in the areas of infection control and radiation protection. Further continuing education and investigation of appropriate interventions to promote good occupational hygiene standards may also be needed.

Adult↗

Prevalence of ocular injuries, conjunctivitis and use of eye protection among dental personnel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

AIMS: To find out the prevalence of ocular injury and infection among dental personnel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred and four dental personnel. METHOD: A questionnaire completed by researchers and observation during practice. RESULTS: The response rate was 81%. Dentists and dental technicians had a similar prevalence (42.3%) of foreign bodies in their eyes during the period of one month. Almost 50.5% of dentists rarely had foreign bodies in their eyes, while only 22.2% of dental technicians claimed the same. The majority of dental surgery assistants (73.6%) never experienced foreign bodies in their eyes. Only 27.0% of female personnel had foreign bodies in their eyes as compared to 73.0% of male personnel, while only 28.5% of females had conjunctivitis as compared to 71.4% among male personnel. 75% of regular eye protector wearers (EPW) never had foreign bodies while 67.2% EPW never had conjunctivitis. Dental technicians were more prone to ocular injury, 13.8% as compared to 4.4% of dentists. Only 30% of the regular eye protector wearers suffered ocular injury. CONCLUSIONS: Protection of the eyes should be emphasised and practised at undergraduate level. The awareness of eye protection should be highlighted at all clinical and research symposia. Further studies should be conducted to assess the financial implications of ocular injuries and infections in dental institutions and practices. Recommendations are made for universal precautions and the observation of safety at work guidelines by all dental team members.

Conjunctivitis↗

Eye-safety requirements for Nd:YAG laser application in gastroenterology, urology, and neurosurgery.

The preconditions relating to radiation safety for application of the Nd:YAG laser in the various fields of open and endoscopic surgery are studied. Potential eye hazards of clinical personnel using a Nd:YAG laser photocoagulator in surgical procedures are investigated and methods of eye protection are discussed. The amount of exposure of the eye to radiation back-scattered from stomach and bladder tissue, as can occur in clinical practice, has been determined for several commercially available rigid cystoscopes and flexible gastroscopes. In addition, the amount of back-scatter from brain and liver tissue has been established under the usual surgical working conditions. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) provisions relating to laser safety are briefly explained in relation to the use of the Nd:YAG laser. The results of experimental investigations are compared with the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) limiting values as per the IEC and ANSI drafts. The precautions necessary for safe application of the Nd:YAG laser in the various medical spheres are described.

Accidents, Occupational↗

Evaluation of a preclinical, educational and skills-training program to improve students' use of blood and body fluid precautions: one-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about long-term improvements in medical students' knowledge, attitudes, and use of blood and body fluid precautions following preclinical training. METHODS: We evaluated an educational and skills-training program emphasizing double gloving for high-risk surgical procedures. Baseline surveys measuring knowledge, attitudes, and readiness to use specific precautions were completed by second-year (experimental) students before skills training and by third-year students (control) after their first clinical year. Follow-up surveys were completed 1 year later. Use of double gloves and protective eyewear during surgery clerkships was observed at baseline and follow-up. RESULTS: Of 149 students returning both surveys, the experimental group (n = 91) showed improvements in attitudes toward double gloving (P = 0.038) and use of double gloves during surgery at follow-up (relative risk = 1.95, 95% confidence interval = 1.06, 3.59). They expressed better attitudes toward (P = 0.003) and greater readiness to use (P = 0. 020) double gloves compared with controls at follow-up. They expressed better attitudes toward (P = 0.002) and greater readiness to use (P = 0.001) double gloves compared with controls when each had completed their first clinical year. CONCLUSION: The intervention was associated with improved attitudes toward and use of double gloves during surgery. The experimental group also expressed better attitudes and readiness to use double gloves compared with controls at follow-up.

Blood-Borne Pathogens↗

The effect of prolonged monocular occlusion on latent nystagmus in the treatment of amblyopia.

We recorded eye movements in 5 patients with latent nystagmus (LN) before and after 2 days of occlusion of the better eye. The slow-phase speed of the nystagmus (SPS) was in general, before occlusion, lower when the better eye fixated but, after occlusion, lower when the worse eye fixated. However, the sum of SPS during right fixation and SPS during left fixation remained constant. Oscillopsia complaints gradually disappeared during the period of occlusion. These findings indicate that the difference between the SPS during fixation with the right eye and the SPS during fixation with the left eye in LN patients is caused by a compensatory drift that decreases LN during fixation with the better eye but increases LN during fixation with the worse eye. During occlusion, this compensatory drift changes its direction and magnitude slowly over days. Hence, occlusion of the better eye in children with amblyopia and LN should be prescribed only in days per week, not in hours per day.

Adolescent↗

Visual results in congenital cataract with the use of contact lenses.

The results obtained in 29 infants with congenital bilateral cataract and 24 with congenital unilateral cataract who underwent surgery at the Munich University Eye Hospital between April 1985 and August 1988 are reported. Postoperatively, the majority of patients were fitted with extended-wear contact lenses. Detailed functional results are reported on nine children with unilateral aphakia and nine with bilateral aphakia who were fitted with contact lenses within the 1st year of life. Whereas the functional results in bilateral aphakia were very satisfactory in the absence of neuroophthalmogical problems, the limited visual prognosis in unilateral aphakia continues to be a problem despite an intensive occlusion regimen. The functional results are compared with those of other authors who have used similar treatment modalities. These are discussed in terms of alternative correction modalities, i.e. intraocular lens implants and epikeratophakia.

Aphakia, Postcataract↗

Development of an eye-movement analyser possessing functions for wireless transmission and autocalibration.

An eye pointer was developed as a new line-of-sight displacement analyser. It analyses an observer's eye movements and superimposes their line of vision on a TV image which is the same as their view. A newly developed miniature colour field camera and very compact eye-movement sensors are attached to a translucent reinforced plastic goggle affording a wide view and excellent safety. A small case is provided for the eye-movement detecting circuit and the camera controller unit etc. Its weight is only 1.2 kg and one can easily participate in sports activities while wearing it. Eye-movement data are transmitted with the VHF video signal. The receiver, which analyses the eye movements and processes the TV image, is also compact and easy to carry. The calibration is automatic and completed within 1 min with a high degree of accuracy. By showing the tennis player's line of vision as an example, we were able to obtain good results with application in broadcasting programmes.

Eye Movements↗