[Eye damage and lighting among workers in the beer industry]

A cross-sectional study was realized to determine the occurrence of visual pathology in 143 male workers of the bottling area of a beer industry, in Zulia state, Venezuela; and it was compared with a control group of 143 male workers of the administrative area, similar in age, weight and height, with different periods of occupational exposure. A medical history, visual acuity, astigmatism, stereopsis, phoria, occupational visual capacity and tonometry tests, were realized. The risks in the occupational environment were identified through an industrial hygiene survey and inspection of the work sites. Lighting was measured according to the established COVENIN 2249-85 norm. The workers of the bottling area presented a greater frequency of pathological antecedents (conjunctivitis and foreign bodies); occupational and non-occupational antecedents; smaller frequency of pterygium and near sightedness; smaller values for the visual acuity in workers older than 40 years (p < 0.05); greater frequency of astigmatism, steropsis, phoria, below average visual capacity; and abnormal intraocular pressure. The point prevalence of the clinical findings was greater in the bottling area workers and the disparity reason corresponded to a non-significant causative association. The mean lighting measures were greater in the bottling area (p < 0.05); however, with the exception of the bottle washing area, they were below recommended levels. This study suggests the influence of occupational risks factors in the visual system and the need to implement prevention and control measures.