Effect of Occupational Vibration on Visual Pathway Measured by Visual Evoked Potentials

Purpose: To study the possible effects of vibration on visual pathway using visual evoked potentials. Patients and Methods: Fifty workers from a textile factory segment with machinery creating high levels of vibration were selected. The workers had at least 6 years of experience in the factory segment where high vibrating machines were operating. The amplitude and latency of visual evoked potential, P100 peak was recorded for these selected workers and 50 age and sex matched controls from other sections of the factory. Results The mean age was 27.5 ± 1.741 and 27.28 ± 1.641 in the case and control groups respectively. There was a statistically significant higher latency of the visual evoked potential, P100 peak in the case group compared to the control group (P < 0.001). No significant difference regarding the amplitude of visual evoked potential, P100 peak was observed between the two groups (P = 0.89). Conclusion: Occupational vibration might have adverse effects on visual system, mainly visual pathway, causing increased latency of P100 peak measured using visual evoked potentials.