Macular degeneration in an arc welder.
A male welder who had been working in an industrial machine plant for more than 20 years experienced acute intense pain in his left eye with continuous lacrimation while performing arc welding in 1997. Later in 1997, at the age of 39 yr, macular edema was found in his left eye. He was diagnosed with macular degeneration (MD) of the left eye in 2002, and with right eye MD in 2004. Radiation in the visible and near infrared (IR) spectra penetrates the eye and is absorbed by the retina, possibly causing thermal or photochemical damage. Such retinal damage may be permanent and, therefore, sight-threatening. The young age and history of an acute painful eye injury are not consistent with age related macular degeneration (AMD) but rather is likely maculopathy caused by welding arc exposure.
Kim
Eun A
EA
Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, Incheon, Korea.
Kim
Byung-Gyu
BG
Yi
Cheol-Ho
CH
Kim
Il Gon
IG
Chae
Chang-Ho
CH
Kang
Seong-Kyu
SK
D005123:Eye / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005135:Eye Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007259:Infrared Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014896:Welding / Q000592:standards