Ocular complications of malfunctioning mercury vapor lamps

We report an outbreak of keratoconjunctivitis and skin erythema caused by ultraviolet radiation from a damaged high-intensity mercury vapor lamp. Twenty-six persons became ill after using a basketball court; symptoms included conjunctivitis (100%), skin erythema (54%), and punctate keratitis (19%). This outbreak is one of 37 similar episodes involving at least 629 persons reported to the Food and Drug Administration since 1969. Physicians should be aware that damaged high-intensity mercury vapor lamps are a continuing public health problem with substantial morbidity. Measures to prevent such occurrences are suggested.