DR. DEEPTI PRABHA EKKA

DR. SOFIA AHMAD, DR. PRITI SINHA

Abstract

Studies indicated a link between high temperature environment &cataract AIM –To identify if occupational exposure to high heat increases the risk of developing cataract & correlate the lens findings to degree of exposure.METHOD 92 workers of blast furnance dept of a steel plant&92 age matched control subjects(non heat exposed ) were taken. Questionnaire used regarding lifestyle, occupational, medical &ocular histories. Ophthalmic examination – visual acuity,intraocular pressure,slit lamp examination, posterior segment evaluation done .Lens opacities were categorized using LOCS III.RESULT. Cataract was present 54 % cases.Nuclear sclerosis was most common.92 age-matched pairs, after excluding confounding factors, 35 workers had more lens changes than their age-matched pairs. Lens changes occurred with increased frequency after 10 years of exposure in heat zone.There was positive correlation between degree of heat &lens opacities. Heat protective goggles should be emphasized .

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