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Ocular disorders among workers exposed to mercury
1Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Ain Shams University.
The Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Workers exposed to mercury vapor may develop eye problems. Studies show lens changes in 50% and keratopathy in 34.5% of exposed workers, suggesting local absorption causes these ocular effects.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Occupational Health
- Toxicology
Background:
- Mercury vapor exposure is a known occupational hazard.
- Ocular manifestations can occur alongside systemic effects in mercury-exposed individuals.
- Understanding the ocular impact of mercury exposure is crucial for worker health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of conjunctival, corneal, and lenticular changes in workers exposed to mercury vapor.
- To assess the relationship between urinary mercury levels and the occurrence of ocular lesions.
- To determine the likely route of mercury absorption causing ocular manifestations.
Main Methods:
- Examined 84 workers involved in preparing mercury fulminate.
- Assessed for conjunctival, corneal, and lenticular abnormalities.
- Measured urinary mercury output to quantify exposure levels.
Main Results:
- Lens changes observed in 50% of exposed workers.
- Keratopathy diagnosed in 34.5% of exposed workers.
- No significant association found between urinary mercury levels and eye lesions.
Conclusions:
- Long-term mercury vapor exposure can lead to significant ocular changes, particularly affecting the lens and cornea.
- The absence of a correlation between urinary mercury and eye lesions suggests local ocular absorption is the primary pathway.
- This highlights the importance of protective measures to prevent direct ocular contact with mercury in occupational settings.
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