The Eye - a Neglected Organ in Environmental and Occupational Medicine: An Overview of Known Environmental and Occupational Non-Traumatic Effects on the EyesThe objective of this study was to give an overview of the known literature data on the influence of environmental and occupational factors on the eye. Sixty-six articles were selected by searching Medline and PubMed databases using the following key words in different combinations: occupational and environmental factors, dry eye syndrome, cataract, retinal vascular changes.Most of the studies dealt with conditions on the eye surface and used eye discomfort syndrome and dry eye syndrome to outline the effects of air pollutants. Some reported increased frequency of lens opacities due to indoor fuel exposure, in particular biofuel, and negative effects of styrene exposure on colour vision. Investigations of retinal vascular changes and retinopathy after chronic exposure to carbon disulfide (CS2) and of retinal and choroidal haemodynamics after exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) found that CS2 caused an increase in retinal venous diameters and CO caused an increase in arterial and venous diameters, retinal blood flow velocity, and fundus pulsation amplitude. This article also discusses the influence of light exposure on retinal damage. It shows that very little information is available about the influence of environmental and occupational factors on the eye, and retina and retinal vessels in particular.

A case of paravenous retinochoroidal atrophy was followed over a period of more than 2 years. Rapid progression of the disease was reflected in the deterioration of visual acuity and fields. Electroretinographic recordings revealed reduced photopic and scotopic amplitudes according to the extent of the retinal lesions. In electrooculography virtually no slow and no fast light-induced oscillations could be recorded. These results suggest an involvement of the entire retinal pigment epithelium.

Welding arc maculopathy seems to be rather a sequel of occupational accidents and negligence of safety regulations. The results of this study indicate that the usual protective measures in professional welding appears to be sufficient in order to prevent an occupational risk of welding arc maculopathy.

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daily maintaining an IOP of 18-20 mmHg in both eyes. Moderate bilateral nuclear sclerosis and senile macular changes were also present. Best corrected visual acuity was RE 6/9 (20/30) and LE 6/60 (20/200). Otherwise, ocular examination showed no abnormality. The iris showed no transillumination, and there was no evidence of pigmentary glaucoma or of pseudoexfoliation syndrome. On routine pupillary dilatation with phenylephrine (2 5 %) (performed for fundus photography) a conspicuous release of pigment into the anterior chamber developed, with some aqueous flare and a marked deposition of pigment granules on the iris, lens capsule, and posterior surface of the cornea. Within 1 hour the IOP increased to 30 mmHg in the right eye and to 34 mmHg in the left eye. Gonioscopy revealed a massive accumulation of pigment on various structures of the angle, and the trabecular meshwork, mainly in the lower half of the globe, was densely pigmented. The patient was then treated with pilocarpine (2%) and 250 mg of acetazolamide intravenously. Two hours later the IOP was 29 mmHg in the right eye and 30 mmHg in the left eye. Pilocarpine was again given, but the IOP remained unaffected. During the following 3 weeks various drugs including timolol, carbachol, neostigmine, and tosmilen were tried, but no reduction in IOP could be achieved.