Occupational Optometry Services

Improving Visual Health in the Digital Age

The Optometry Confederation of India (OCI) and Department of Occupational Optometry Services Sankara Nethralaya have joined forces to launch Improving Visual Health in the Digital Age, India’s first evidence-based document crafted exclusively for IT professionals.

Developed by leading optometrists, this ground breaking initiative addresses the growing concerns of digital eye strain and provides actionable solutions to safeguard visual health in the digital era. This unique document marks a significant milestone in advancing eye care tailored to the needs of India’s tech-driven workforce.

Explore this innovative resource and take the first step towards healthier vision!

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Improving Visual Health in the Digital Age Download
Improving Visual Health in the Digital Age - A Quick Guide Download
About Occupational Optometry Services

Vision plays a crucial role in our daily activities, from reading and writing to cooking and driving. However, when it comes to work, simply having good vision is not enough - what truly matters is adequate vision, which refers to the level of vision required to perform tasks efficiently and safely. This required level of vision, known as Vision Demand, varies across different occupations. The field of Occupational Optometry focuses on ensuring safe and effective visual functioning in the workplace. By assessing the relationship between the eye, specific job tasks, and working conditions, we determine the necessary vision standards through a method called Visual Task Analysis.

What do we do?

Our approach involves evaluating workplace vision requirements through Visual Task Analysis, a process that helps determine the visual demands of various jobs. An optometrist or eye care professional conducts on-site assessments to collect details such as lighting conditions, working distances, and other environmental factors that may influence visual performance. This analysis helps in defining Vision Standards, ensuring that employees meet the necessary visual criteria for their job roles. If an employee does not meet these standards, they are referred for further evaluation, where corrective measures such as prescription lenses, specialized coatings, or occupational safety eyewear may be recommended to enhance their visual efficiency at work.

What do we observe during visual task analysis?

During Visual Task Analysis, various workplace factors are assessed to determine their impact on vision. This includes understanding the nature of the job, the distance between the eyes and the working target, the size of the objects being handled, the size of the work area, lighting levels, and the presence of hazardous materials or chemicals. The need for personal protective equipment, such as safety eyewear, is also evaluated. The data gathered from these assessments is processed using optometric principles to establish Vision Standards specific to each occupation. These standards help ensure that employees can perform their tasks efficiently and safely, reducing the risk of work-related visual strain or injuries.

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Vision Standards

In simple terms, when you apply for a driving license, you are required to provide a medical certificate stating that your vision is 6/12 for distance and that you have normal color vision to ensure you are fit for safe driving. These predetermined vision requirements for specific tasks are called Vision Standards, and they vary by occupation. Vision standards are typically established for jobs that involve public safety, such as the Army, Drivers, Navy, Pilots, and Railway employees. Understanding the visual needs of different occupations helps eye care practitioners provide more than just a pair of spectacles; it ensures that individuals can perform their tasks safely and effectively.

Clinical Services

In-office service

Pre-employment eye examination

In order to ensure your capacity to perform your duties with optimal efficiency, your employer or organization requires you to provide a visual fitness certificate as part of the pre-employment process. Especially in roles deemed more sensitive, such as those within railways, army, navy, commercial driving, and other industrial sectors, conducting tests on applicants before hiring can decrease the likelihood of accidents and potential liability for the company.

Along with the recommended examinations for visual fitness certificate, you will undergo comprehensive eye examination that includes power check, Intraocular pressure check and dilated retinal examination When you are referred for acquiring fitness certificate for color vision as part of for pre-employment requirement , you will undergo exclusive color vision test along with the comprehensive eye examination.

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Color Vision Clinic

The department is equipped with exclusive color vision tests designed to meet the specific requirements of various occupational color vision needs like Ishihara Pseudo Isochromatic plate test, AO-HRR Pseudo Isochromatic plate test, FM 100 Hue test and Farnsworth Lantern signal test.

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Ishihara pseudoisochromatic plates

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AO H-R-R Pseudoisochromatic Plates

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Farnsworth Lantern Signal Test

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Farnsworth Munsell 100 Hue Test

Dispensing Occupational Eye Wear

Just as the visual demands vary across different occupations, the hazards associated with each occupation also differ, necessitating specific and tailored approaches to address them effectively for utmost ocular safety.

1. Occupational lenses i.e. the spectacle designs are customized and dispensed according to the occupational needso addressed specifically.

2. Personal Protective Equipment – If the working area has dust/flying particle or heat, then you might need safety eye wear, that protects your eyes from these hazards.

3. Prescription Safety Eye Wear: The safety eye wear can be incorporated with the refractive error correction (power glasses), which will serve the dual purpose.

4. Specialty lenses: We are also equipped with Enchroma glasses for trial, specialty lenses that are designed for the people diagnosed with color vision deficiency.

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Off-campus service

Eye care at door steps:

We offer comprehensive eye care services directly to industries and corporate sectors as part of their statutory retirement and goodwill towards their employees. Our team of occupational optometrists will visit industrial sites and corporate offices, providing on-site comprehensive eye examinations to employees at their premises for added convenience and accessibility. The manufacturing process, differs based on the machineries involved, process of manufacturing and product manufactured. We follow a unique 7 step approach when it comes to off-camps services

At Industries

Statistics - 2023 - 2024 Total No - 1908

We provide eye care services to industries / corporate sectors at their premises as off-camps services as a part of their statutory requirement and good will to their employees.

We follow a unique 7 step approach when it comes to off-camps services.

I. Visual Task Analysis (VTA) at work place :

Visual task analysis aims at acquiring the information on visual demand each job creates on the individual worker at the job.

II. Identify the battery of tests :

Based on the visual task analysis of different jobs in work area, battery of tests will be planned and the visual capability and ocular status of the each employee will be documented.

III & IV. Comprehensive eye examination and Matching visual demand to visual ability :

The employees will undergo comprehensive eye examination similar to that of regular eye examination at eye hospital and their visual skills will be assessed if matching the occupational visual demand.

V. Indoctrination and education of employers, employees on vision care, eye safety at work, Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) :

The employees and employer will be educated on importance of regular eye check up and personal protective equipment and their benefit both to the individual and to the organization

VI. Report to the employer :

A report will be submitted to the employer along with the recommendations on spectacles, safety eye wear, lighting and other environmental related issues as observed by the optometrist.

VII. Regular follow-up / periodic eye examination:

This will be done after a period of six months to one year from the time of the report submitted to the employer. The aim of this visit is to see the impact of the service provided by the optometrists. It constitutes the visit to the work area, interaction with the supervisors, employees and the employer.

Color Vision Testing

Workers involved in tasks related to physical colors involving paints, pigments and screen color like displays/monitors require superior color perception to ensure better outcomes in terms of productivity and quality. Industries that seek our color vision test services as a statutory requirement can have the hue discrimination test conducted as an off-campus service. We will take the Ishihara Pseudo Isochromatic plate test and FM100 Hue colour vision test equipment to the industrial premises and will perform the test at their convinence.

Community Services

Statistics - 2023 - 2024 Total No - 7162

Unorganized sector:

The unorganized sector comprises over 81% of the country's workforce, with key sectors including Agriculture (53.55%), Construction (12.19%), Domestic and Household Workers (8.73%), Apparel (6.26%), and Miscellaneous (3.3%). These workers face challenges such as seasonal employment, lack of formal employer-employee relationships, and inadequate social security. Uncorrected visual impairment adds to the economic burden. Providing eye care services to this population can boost the economy. Near-vision impairment (NVI) affects over a billion people globally, impacting productivity. The World Report on Vision highlights the economic consequences of uncorrected presbyopia, affecting up to 800 million individuals.

The occupational optometry services cater to the visual needs of the deserving group of unorganised sector workers with CSR funds from various corporate sectors. We in specific deal with the occupational needs which would enhance their productivity. This novel service not only enhance visual capabilities of individual it also enlighten the family who are dependent on the workers in unorganised sector. We have served to many unorganised sector under this scheme

Our previous experience with unorganized sector :

We have developed vision standards and ocular personal protective equipment for various unorganized sectors, which include

Automobile mechanics

Sculpting - Stone and Metal

Wood carving

Tea plantation

Hairdressing

Salt cultivation

Building construction

Electric and electronic

Tailoring and embroidery designing

Goldsmith

Gardening and farming

Weaving

Drivers - Truck and Auto drivers

Watch repairing

Women self-help groups

Mobile phone assembly

Farmers and Agricultural workers

Wooden toy makers

Tea Plantation workers

Rubber Plantation workers

Tanjore Artisans

Welders

Silk reelers

Empower Vision, Protect their Eyes: Support Unorganized Sector Workers Today! Click to know further.

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Facilities

We are equipped with the most sophisticated instrument to assess various visual skills and visual functions of the individual associated with work. These instruments are portable and we will be able to bring it to your for off-campus services.

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Auto Refractometer

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Contrast and Glare

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Retinal imaging

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Non contact tonometer


Awards and Honors
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Dr C. K. Ramachandar Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award (2020)

was conferred upon Dr. P. P. Santanam by the Indian Association of Occupational Health (IAOH) in recognition of his significant contributions to occupational health in India and internationally.

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Devasahayam Memorial Oration

for the year 2016 was rendered by Dr Krishna Kumar R, at the Indian association of occupational health (IAOH - TN chapter).

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The Young Scientist Award

for the best paper presentation at the 69th National Conference OCCUCON 2018 was awarded to Dr. Rashima Asokan during the 69th OCCUCON Conference of IAOH (2019). She also received the Golden Jubilee Medal for her best presentation from the Tamil Nadu branch in OCCUCON 2018, awarded at the 67th State Annual Medical Conference of IAOH, Tamil Nadu.

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Ruby banik Award

for Best Research in Clinical Research 2021 was awarded to Ms Janani S, Senior Optometrist for the paper entitled "Visual, ocular profile and perceived impact of photochromatic spectacles among salt pan workers in Marakkanam Town, Tamil Nadu".

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Young Scientist Award

was conferred to Ms. Ishwarya S, Optometrist, Occupational Optometry Services, during the 73rd OCCUCON – Annual National Occupational Health Conference, held in Delhi from January 18 to 21, 2023, for her research work titled “Impact of Ultraviolet Radiation and Air Pollution on Ocular Health with Emphasis on Cataract and Pterygium among Outdoor Workers,” presented during OCCUCON 2022.

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Best E-Poster Presentation Award

was awarded to Ms. Ishwarya S during the 27th Annual Meeting of the Indian Eye Research Group (IERG), 2022, for her research titled “Evaluating the Effect of Ocular UV Exposure as a Major Causative Risk Factor and Risk Modeling for Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome.”

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Golden Jubilee Medal

for Best Scientific Presentation was received by Ms. Ishwarya S during the 69th Indian Association of Occupational Health, State Annual Conference, 2022, for her research presentation on “Impact of Ultraviolet Radiation and Air Pollution on Ocular Health with Emphasis on Cataract and Pterygium among Outdoor Workers.”

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Dr. PP Santanam Medal

for Best Scientific Paper Presentation was awarded to Ms. Janani S during the 69th Indian Association of Occupational Health, State Annual Conference, 2022, for her research work titled “Driving strategies and coping mechanisms among drivers with colour vision deficiency.”

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IVI Best Paper Presentation Award

in Occupational Vision was received by Ms. Vishnupriya S, a Master’s student, during the 3rd IVI International Optometry Conference, 2022, for her research work on “Development of Vision Standards and Analysis of Work Profile, Sleep Patterns, and Musculoskeletal Disorders among Ophthalmic Nurses.”

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The Best Department Award

for the year 2022 was received by the Department of Occupational Optometry Services, on Aug 15, 2023. The award was presented by Dr Girija Vaidyanathan, retired IAS officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre, and the fourth and longest-serving woman Chief Secretary to the Government of Tamil Nadu.

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Dr S Ramakrishnan and Smt. Bhagavathy Endowment Award

Support for Occupational vision / eye related research” and “Judge. P.V. Parameswara Iyer and Smt. Kamala Bai Endowment Award for PhD” for the year 2022-2023 was awarded to Ms Janani S

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Dr S Ramakrishnan and Smt. Bhagavathy Endowment Award

Support for Occupational vision / eye related research” for the year 2023-24 was awarded to Ms Pavithra G, Masters in Optometry Student.

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Golden Jubilee Medal

for Best Scientific Presentation was received by Dr Rashima A, during the 70th Annual National Conference on 17th September 2023, for the paper presented at the OCCUCON 2023 titled “Occupational Hazards, Associated Ocular Morbidities and Impact of Refractive Safety eyewear among Agriculture Worker”

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Best E-Poster Award

in the Student Category was won by Ms. Krishna Priya, an intern at the Elite School of Optometry, at the 22nd Dr. E. Vaithilingam Memorial Scientific Session, 2024 for her research titled "Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice on Colour Vision Testing among Optometrists and Optometry Students." The study was conducted under the Department of Occupational Optometry Services.

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Golden Jubilee Medal

for Best Scientific Presentation was received by Dr. Rashima A, during the Dr. C. K. Ramachandar Award and CME Lecture at the 74th Annual Conference of IAOH - OCCUCON 2024. The award was given for her presentation titled "Barriers to Seeking Eye Care – Perspectives of Workers from the Unorganised Sector.

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BEL-IND Award

for Best Scientific Paper was awarded to Dr. Rashima A during the 74th/75th National Conference of the Indian Association of Occupational Health – OCCUCON 2024, for her research work titled “Barriers to Seeking Eye Care – Perspectives of Workers from the Unorganized Sector.”

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OCCUCON 2025 National Quiz Competition

Ms. Janani S secured 2nd place in the competition, which focused on Occupational Health and Occupational Diseases.

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The Bloggers Voice - The Voice of Vision Science

Ms Indira R bagged 3rd prize for showcasing her knowledge, insights and presentation skills in the grand finale conducted by vision science academy and received kindle as token of appreciation.

Team Members

Dr Rashima Asokan - Head of the Department

Ms Janani S - Senior Occupational Optometrist, PhD scholar

Ms Jeevitha A - Occupational Optometrist

Ms Indira R - Occupational Optometrist

Ms Nandhini R - Occupational Optometrist

Ms Pavithra R - Occupational Optometrist

Mr Luouie Bastin K - Occupational Optometrist

Mr Lingesh Kumar V - Optician

Dr PP Santanam & Dr R Krishnakumar (Advisors)

Contact

For contact on in office / off-campus occupational optometry services -

write to occupationaloptometry@snmail.org / rashima@snmail.org

For any CSR activities write to rashima@snmail.org

Phone: 044-28271616 - Intercom: 1361 / connect to Dr. Rashima / Ms.Janani S

Mobile: +91-9500062027