Eye symptoms reported by workers exposed to agrochemicals in flower crops

Abstract

<em><strong>Introduction:</strong> </em>Agrochemicals are widely used substances to improve agricultural production. However, they cause acute and chronic health problems, as well as various systemic and ocular symptoms. Additionally, the paper studies the frequency of self-reported toxicity symptoms by workers exposed to agrochemicals. It was observed that the most common ocular symptoms are burning eyes and blurred vision, among others. Exposure to these substances can be direct or indirect, and causes acute and chronic health effects.<em><strong>Problem:</strong></em> The frequency of ocular symptoms in exposed workers in the country is unknown.<em><strong>Objective:</strong></em> To determine the main ocular symptoms reported by workers exposed to agrochemicals in flower crops.<em><strong>Methods:</strong></em> Cross-sectional descriptive observational study convenience sampling. The paper reports the results of 40 workers of a flower crop, who were in direct or indirect contact with agrochemicals and filled out the modified Donate questionnaire on self-reported symptoms.<em><strong>Results:</strong></em> Workers reported various ocular symptoms related to exposure to agrochemicals, as well as eye symptoms related to dry eye.<em><strong>Conclusions:</strong></em> Most workers presented the ocular symptoms that previous studies have evidenced with exposure to agrochemicals related to some degree of dry eye.