Pterygium in welders.
Pterygium is thought to be hyperaemia of fibrovascular tissue on to the cornea caused by ultraviolet radiation of sunlight. We observed a significantly high incidence of pterygia in welders who were exposed occupationally to excess ultraviolet radiation and found a close relationship between the incidence and the length of employment as a welder (r = 0.975, p less than 0.05). This study attempts to clarify the causative relationship between ultraviolet radiation and pterygia.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011625:Pterygium / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014896:Welding