Optic neuritis with residual tunnel vision in perchloroethylene toxicity.
METHODS
In a 57-year-old female owner of a dry-cleaning shop, we describe the association of severe bilateral optic neuritis with unexpectedly high concentrations of perchloroethylene/metabolites in the blood and of chloroform in urine. Visual disturbances consisted of complete blindness for 9 days in the left eye, for 11 days in the right eye, with bright phosphenes and pain on eye rotation. Only central (2-3 degrees radius) vision recovered in the following months.


CONCLUSIONS
Although environmental concentrations of perchloroethylene were within normal limits, we measured five-fold increases in vapors emitted when ironing freshly dry-cleaned fabrics, and suggest that inhalation of perchloroethylene vapors was the cause of this case of ocular nerve toxicity, recapitulating a previous report of major perchloroethylene toxicity.
University G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy. onofrj@phobos.unich.it OR onofrj@ibmpe.unich.it
M
M
Onofrj
A
A
Thomas
C
C
Paci
D
D
Rotilio
D001766:Blindness / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000652:urine; D002725:Chloroform / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000652:urine; D009902:Optic Neuritis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D010719:Phosphenes / Q000187:drug effects*; D012997:Solvents / Q000506:poisoning*; D013750:Tetrachloroethylene / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning*
D012997:Solvents; D002725:Chloroform; D013750:Tetrachloroethylene