Retinal and visual system: occupational and environmental toxicology

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Toxicology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Occupational chemical exposure frequently causes sensory system alterations without obvious clinical signs.
• The retina and central visual system are vulnerable to approximately 3000 toxic chemicals.
• Visual system dysfunction can lead to immediate, long-term, and delayed effects on health, performance, and occupational safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review retinal/visual system structure, function, and assessment techniques.
• To discuss retinal vulnerability to toxic chemicals.
• To examine clinical and experimental data on visual deficits from occupational toxicants (solvents, metals) and their role in late-onset retinal diseases.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on retinal/visual system structure, function, and assessment.
• Analysis of clinical and experimental data on occupational toxicants.
• Discussion of risk factors for late-onset retinal diseases.

Main Results:

• Occupational toxicants, including organic solvents and metals, were found to alter color vision, electroretinograms, visual fields, contrast sensitivity, and retinal thickness.
• These alterations highlight the importance of multimodal vision testing for monitoring exposed workers.
• Retinal changes can offer insights into acquired neurodegenerative disorders.

Conclusions:

• Multimodal, noninvasive testing is essential for monitoring toxicant-exposed workers for retinal/visual system alterations.
• Understanding retinal dysfunction provides insights into neurodegenerative disorders.
• Early detection and monitoring of visual system changes are critical for occupational health and safety.