title: Diagnostic methods in ocular argyrosis: case report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this report is to present a case of a patient, metal foundry worker, who had been exposed to industrial silver salts for over 20 years. It is well established that chronic exposure to silver compounds can cause accumulation of silver deposits in various tissues. This condition is referred to as argyrosis or argyria, whereas changes related to eye tissues are defined as ocular argyrosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A complete eye examination, corneal confocal microscopy, kinetic and static visual field test, posterior segment optical coherent tomography, pattern visual evoked potentials (PVEP), flash visual evoked potentials, multifocal electroretinogram, pattern electroretinogram (PERG), full-field electroretinography (FERG) and electrooculogram were all performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eye examination revealed decreased visual acuity, corneal deposits and drusenoid changes within the macula. Although electrophysiology tests did not show changes in the function of retinal pigment epithelium, they revealed abnormal function of photoreceptors in the central and peripheral retina. PERG abnormalities and delayed latency of P100 wave in PVEP confirmed impaired function of the inner layers of the retina in the macular region.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Corneal confocal microscopy and electrophysiological tests may help confirm the diagnosis of ocular argyrosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Ceglana 35, 40-514, Katowice, Poland. monikasarnat@vp.pl.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sarnat-Kucharczyk
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Ceglana 35, 40-514, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Dorota
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pojda-Wilczek
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Ceglana 35, 40-514, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mrukwa-Kominek
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001129:Argyria / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008669:Metallurgy; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012834:Silver / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D012834:Silver
keywords: Argyria; Argyrosis; Ocular argyrosis; Silver nitrate