Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026

Micro-dissection of Enamel Organ from Mandibular Incisor of Rats Exposed to Environmental Toxicants
Published on: March 29, 2018
Visual impairment on dentists related to occupational mercury exposure
Luiz H M Canto-Pereira1, Marcos Lago, Marcelo F Costa
1Departamento de Psicologia Experimental, Instituto de Psicologia, e Núcleo de Pesquisa em Neurociências e Comportamento, Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Abstract:
A detailed assessment of visual function was obtained in subjects with low-level occupational mercury exposure by measuring hue saturation thresholds and contrast sensitivity functions for luminance and chromatic modulation. General practice dentists (n=15) were compared to age-matched healthy controls (n=13). Color discrimination estimated by the area of Mac Adam ellipses was impaired, showing diffuse discrimination loss. There was also reduction of contrast sensitivity for luminance and chromatic (red-green and blue-yellow) modulation, in all tested spatial frequencies. Low concentrations of urinary mercury (1.97±1.61μg/g creatinine) were found in the dentists group. Color discrimination as well as contrast sensitivity function, assessed psychophysically, constitutes a sensitive indicator of subtle neurotoxic effect of elemental mercury exposure.
Related Concept Videos
Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways
The Availability Heuristic
Diabetic Retinopathy
Glaucoma: Overview

