Binocular Vision, Convergence Insufficiency, Accommodative Dysfunction, Industrial Workers, Non-Strabismic Binocular Vision Anomaly

Abstract

Aim: To determine the prevalence and distribution of non-strabismic binocular vision anomalies among small-scale industry workers engaged in visually demanding occupations.
Settings and design: Cross-sectional observational study.
Methods and materials: A total of 82 Lathe Operators and Wafer Fabricator workers aged 21–37 years from small-scale industries with high near-visual demands were recruited using convenience sampling. Participants with best corrected visual acuity of 6/7.5 or better underwent a comprehensive binocular vision assessment, including sensory and motor evaluations, accommodative testing, phoria measurements, and fusional vergence assessment. Diagnostic criteria proposed by Scheiman and Wick were used for classification.
Results: Of the 82 participants among them 36 (43.9%) were females, and 46 (56.1%) were males. 73 (89.0%) workers exhibited one or more non-strabismic binocular vision anomalies, while only 9 (11.0%) revealed normal binocular vision. Convergence insufficiency was the most prevalent anomaly (56.1%), followed by accommodative insufficiency (15.9%) and convergence excess (7.3%). No significant association was observed between gender and non-strabismic binocular vision anomalies (χ² = 6.92, p = 0.546). Kruskal–Wallis analysis revealed no statistically significant differences among NSBVA for age or binocular vision clinical parameters (all p > 0.05), although distance phoria showed a trend toward significance (p = 0.058).
Conclusion: NSBVA were highly prevalent among small-scale industry Lathe Operators and Wafer Fabrication workers, with convergence insufficiency representing the predominant diagnosis. Although clinical binocular vision parameters did not differ significantly among diagnostic groups, the high prevalence underscores the importance of routine binocular vision assessment in occupational eye care to facilitate early detection and appropriate management.