[Various occupational diseases of the eyes caused by ultraviolet radiation]

Studies are performed on 87 workers--electric welders (for some of them they continued several years), 68.9% of the subjects have been in contact with ultraviolet radiation for a period of more than 10 years (length of service). There are data for passed acute form of electric ophthalmia, average 6.11 times during the length of service in workers with length of service up to 10 years and 12.1 times in workers with length of service above 10 years. In 11.82% of the workers a chronic form of phtoophthalmia is observed. After observation, for the first time in this country is described specific radiation cataracta in 24.13% of workers--electric welders in contact with ultraviolet radiation during their length of service--above 10 years. The problem of cataractogenesis of ultraviolet rays in electric welding processes is discussed.