Photokeratoconjunctivitis caused by different light sources.
To assess the current state of photokeratoconjunctivitis (PKC) and compare patients caused by different light sources, we recruited 106 consecutive cases from August 2001 to March 2002 through the emergency department at a teaching hospital in Taiwan and conducted questionnaire interviews and telephone follow-ups. Whereas 85.8% of the cases received exposures from welding, only 3.8% were professional welders, and most cases were of other occupations with occasional use of welding. A substantial number of cases were attributable to ultraviolet (UV) lamps and sparkles from short circuits (7 each). Cases caused by different light sources (welding, UV lamps, and sparkles) had significant differences in occupations, exposure durations, and distances to light sources. In comparison with cases caused by welding, cases caused by short circuit sparkles had a more acute course, but those caused by UV lamps had a less acute course. Few cases used protection equipment, which highlighted the importance of education.
Yen
Yuan-Lung
YL
Department of Emergency Medicine, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainai, Taiwan, ROC.
Lin
Hsing-L
HL
Lin
Hung-Jung
HJ
Chen
Po-Ching
PC
Chen
Chien-Ren
CR
Chang
Guo-Huei
GH
Guo
How-Ran
HR
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004560:Electricity / Q000009:adverse effects; D005135:Eye Protective Devices; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007637:Keratoconjunctivitis / Q000209:etiology*; D008027:Light / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects; D014896:Welding