Eyes and industry formerly Industrial Ophthalmology

Historical Significance: This is an early book on industrial optometry. Awareness about the need to protect the eyes in industrial work from impact injury and radiation damage emerged from about 1850 (eg do a search in this catalogue using the sub-category Protective eyewear). Later the idea of ensuring workers had adequate vision for their jobs took hold as an extension to eye safety programs and this in turn lead to visual ergonomics to ensure that working conditions were optimal for good vision. The lighting industry promoted good lighting at work. Some psychologists began to specialise in industrial pyschology in the mid 20thC notably Joseph Tiffin. He wrote on the importance of visual skills for adequate job performance in 1944 (J Consult Psych 1944; 8: 80-89) and played a role in developing the orthorater. The optical manufacturing companies produced instruments for screening vision of workers on-site, one of the earliest of which was the Bausch and Lomb orthorater which was developed in mid 1940s.(see page 55 of this book). Optometrists undertook vision screening in industry in the 1950s in order to generate business since they contracted to supply glasses to those needing them. In Melbourne, the optometry firm Coles and Garrard undertook vision screening in large manufacturing companies for this purpose. The Kett Museum holds several vision screeing instruments for this period.