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Published on: January 22, 2010
Ocular sequelae of pneumatic drills
A M Mansour1, S H Uwaydat, A S Khouri
1Department of Ophthalmology, American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
Purpose:
To determine the ocular sequelae of rock-drilling.
Methods:
Nineteen rock-drillers and 20 age-, sex- and race-matched control subjects underwent ocular examination in a prospective manner.
Results:
Subepithelial corneal opacities were found in 12 drillers (63%) and none of the controls; pigmented trabecular meshwork was noted in 13 drillers (68%) and 1 control (5%); low-tension glaucoma was diagnosed in 1 driller (5%); vitreous liquefaction was present in 17 of 17 drillers (100%) examined by a retina specialist and 9 of 20 controls (45%).
Conclusions:
The sequelae of drilling include corneal scars from projectile pieces of drilled stone as well as vibration-induced pigment deposition in the trabecular meshwork and vitreous liquefaction. Wearing of safety glasses is recommended.
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