Review article
https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-60-2009-1869
The Eye - a Neglected Organ in Environmental and Occupational Medicine: An Overview of Known Environmental and Ooccupational Non-Traumatic Effects on the Eyes
Elena Rozanova
; Eye Clinic, Vienna, Austria
Peter Heilig
; Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Jasminka Godnić-Cvar
; Clinic of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Abstract
The objective of this study was to give an overview of the known literature data on the infl uence of environmental and occupational factors on the eye. Sixty-six articles were selected by searching Medline and PubMed databases using the following key words in different combinations: occupational and environmental factors, dry eye syndrome, cataract, retinal vascular changes. Most of the studies dealt with conditions on the eye surface and used eye discomfort syndrome and dry eye syndrome to outline the effects of air pollutants. Some reported increased frequency of lens opacities due to indoor fuel exposure, in particular biofuel, and negative effects of styrene exposure on colour vision. Investigations of retinal vascular changes and retinopathy after chronic exposure to carbon disulfide (CS2) and of retinal and choroidal haemodynamics after exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) found that CS2 caused an increase in retinal venous diameters and CO caused an increase in arterial and venous diameters, retinal blood fl ow velocity, and fundus pulsation amplitude. This article also discusses the infl uence of light exposure on retinal damage. It shows that very little information is available about the infl uence of environmental and occupational factors on the eye, and retina and retinal vessels in particular.
Keywords
cataract; dry eye syndrome; occupational and environmental factors; retinal vascular changes
Hrčak ID:
38411
URI
Publication date:
12.6.2009.
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