Comparison of refractive errors in carpet weavers and other blue-collar workers

This study was done to compare refractive errors, along with probable risk factors between carpet weavers and blue-collar workers. This was a historical cohort study, in which 188 carpet weavers (with a past history of prolonged near work) and 131 blue-collar workers (without any previous record of near work) were randomly selected. They underwent refraction (dry and cycloplegic), keratometry and biometry. Mean cycloplegic refractive error was more negative in carpet weavers and blue collar workers (p<0.05) and the prevalence of myopia in carpet weavers was higher than blue-collar workers. On the contrary, the prevalence of hyperopia in blue-collars workers was more than carpet weavers (p<0.05). The axial length of eye and corneal refractive power in carpet weavers was more than blue-collar workers. According to above results, carpet weavers were more myopic and other blue-collar workers were more hyperopic. This may be the result of near work in carpet weavers.