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109599

Detection of Retinal Affection among Arc Welders Using Optical Coherence Tomography

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Last updated: 22 Jan 2023

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Abstract

Introduction: Arc welders are at high risk for developing phototoxic maculopathy, as diagnosed by using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), which describes some structural changes in the fovea of welders with maculopathy, as disruption of the inner high reflective layer corresponding to the outer neurosensory retina. Aim of work: To evaluate the use of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) as a method for monitoring workers involved in arc welding for early detection of any retinal damage. Materials and methods: The study included 66 exposed workers in an automobile factory in Helwan, Cairo. A matched group of 66 control subjects were included from administrative workers in the same factory. Diabetic and hypertensive were excluded from both groups. The studied groups were subjected to full history taking including occupational history, clinical eye examination, fundus examination using ophthalmoscope, Best Corrected Visual Acuity testing (BCVA) and Optical Coherence Tomography testing. Results: All exposed workers reported using welding goggles or face shield during welding. Diminution of vision and manifestations of photo-kerato-conjunctivitis were significantly more prevalent among exposed group compared to the controls. Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) was significantly lower among the exposed group with significant negative correlation between BCVA and duration of exposure. Fundus ophthalmoscopic examination of the exposed group revealed yellowish spots of the macula and fovea. OCT findings among the exposed workers included mainly macular edema, inner/outer segment disruption of the retinal pigment epithelium and macular thinning. Conclusion: OCT is useful in the diagnosis of welders' maculopathy. Using welding goggles and face shield might not provide enough protection against welders' maculopathy.

DOI

10.21608/ejom.2020.109599

Keywords

welding, maculopathy, macular edema, Retinal pigment epithelium disruption and Optical Coherence Tomography

Authors

First Name

El-Sherif

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G

Affiliation

Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt.

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First Name

El Shafy

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S

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W

Affiliation

Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt.

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First Name

Mahran

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M

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W

Affiliation

Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Beni Sueif University, Egypt.

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Volume

44

Article Issue

2

Related Issue

16660

Issue Date

2020-04-01

Receive Date

2020-08-26

Publish Date

2020-04-01

Page Start

621

Page End

632

Print ISSN

1110-1881

Online ISSN

2357-058X

Link

https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_109599.html

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https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/service?article_code=109599

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4

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Original Article

Type Code

577

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine

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https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/

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Article

Created At

22 Jan 2023