Topographic properties of the cornea in welders

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the topographic status of the welders' corneas.

In this historical cohort, a group of welders (with at least 5 years' experience in welding) and a control group were assessed and compared. Lack of exposure to welding for 3 months or more was considered an exclusion criterion. In all participants, after taking a complete history of visual and ocular problems, both eyes underwent Pentacam imaging. Then, all subjects received slit lamp biomicroscopy for evaluation of ocular surface diseases.

The data of 140 welders (mean age: 46.66 ± 13.01 years) and 172 controls (mean age: 45.05 ± 12.61 years) were analyzed. The welders' corneas had significantly higher eccentricity (p < 0.0001), keratometry readings (p < 0.0001), and cylinder power (p < 0.0001). The central, inferior, and nasal cornea were significantly thinner in the welders than in controls (p < 0.0001) while the difference was not significant in the superior and temporal cornea. All indices of corneal irregularity except for the central keratoconus index (CKI) and index of height asymmetry (IHA) were higher in welders compared to the control group (p < 0.0001).

According to the results of this study, the welders' corneas are topographically irregular. Welders exhibit characteristics like steeper keratometry readings; higher eccentricity indexes; thinner central, inferior, and nasal corneas; and higher indices of corneal irregularity, especially the CK index. Long-term ultraviolet exposure may be a possible reason for these corneal changes.