title: The ocular complications of mustard gas poisoning and their association with the respiratory system involvement: an experience in 112 Iranian veterans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate ocular complications and their association with respiratory involvement in 112 patients with first exposure of mustard gas for at least 19 years ago.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and twelve veterans (224 eyes) with documented exposure to sulphur mustard (SM) for the first time.
  
  
  METHODS
  All participants were interviewed and clinically examined by an ophthalmologist and a specialist in respiratory disease. Data filed from the exposure time and regular follow-ups thereafter were reviewed. The patients were categorized in three subgroups according to the severity of respiratory system involvement as determined by spirometry (normal, mild, and moderate-severe).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subjective and objective ocular problems were documented in 83.9 and 70.6% of victims, respectively. Normal, mild, and moderate-severe respiratory system problems were present in 37.5, 22.3 and 40.2% of cases, respectively. Abnormal ocular findings were severe conjunctival vascular tortuosity (65.2%, mean: 13.71 years after exposure), corneal neovascularization (19.6%, mean: 16.54 years after exposure), conjunctival/limbal vessels with ampulliform dilatation (17.9%, mean: 9.33 years after exposure), and delayed keratitis (9.8%, mean: 19.54 years after exposure). The ocular abnormal findings were significantly more frequent in victims with moderate-severe respiratory system involvement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Structural ocular abnormalities are frequently found in patients with long-term history of mustard gas intoxication. These abnormalities are more common in severe respiratory system involvement.
authors: Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: Mohammad Reza
authors: MR
authors: Sedghipour
authors: Abdollah
authors: A
authors: Shenasi
authors: Mohammad Bagher
authors: MB
authors: Rahbani Nobar
authors: Rohollah F
authors: RF
authors: Fouladi
authors: Ramin
authors: R
authors: Amini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009151:Mustard Gas / Q000633:toxicity*; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014728:Veterans; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D009151:Mustard Gas