Eye injuries among farmworkers are a common, yet serious, problem. According to OSHA, approximately 90% of eye injuries could have been prevented with the use of adequate eye protection. However, due to the numerous realities faced by farmworkers including the absence of eye injury prevention information and limited access to health care, most of these injuries and other eye conditions go untreated.
In Puntos de Vista:Primary Eye Care in Migrant Health, the Migrant Clinicians Network reported on an Eye Care Needs Assessment that they carried out in 1996. When clinicians were asked which components of extensive eye care services would be useful at their clinics, the most popular response was the addition of patient educational materials on eye care and vision .
During the development of ¡OJO! con tu vista:An Eye Care Safety Series for Farmworkers, the Rural Women's Health Project found that there was a void in the availability of health education materials on eye care for the farmworker community. Due to the lack of materials and in response to the health and safety dangers faced by farmworkers, The Rural Women's Health Project formed the Farmworker Eye Network [FENet].
The RWHP's goal is that the Farmworker Eye Network will offer those that work with farmworkers the opportunity to network and to provide access to research and educational materials.
RWHP contact info: Phone: 362-372-1095 E-mail: rwhp@cafl.com Website: http://www.rwhp.org
