Epidemiological studies on occupational eye pathology.

We examined 522 persons exposed to different types of non-ionizing radiation (UV, IR lasers) in the working environment. The control group consisted of 250 persons. The clinico-statistical analysis of occupational eye pathology depending on etiological factors, exposure time and age is presented. Specific cataracts were found in 38.37% of electric welders and in 11.4% of metal workers. The number of cataracts increased with exposure time and in elderly workers. We also observed six macular incidents when working with lasers. The results show the potential hazardous factors of the working environment and the corresponding eye impairments.

[The impact of trinitrotoluene on eyes in miners]. / Vozdeistvie trinitrotoluola na glaza shakhterov.

Trinitrotoluene (TNT) effect on the eyes of 250 miners was studied. The length of service of the investigated group varied from one to twenty years. The specific trinitrotoluene cataract of various stages was observed in 54.7% of the examinees. The authors assume that the lens changes depend on the length of service and on the TNT concentrations in the body after predominant skin penetration.

[Visual fatigue during work associated with increased visual loading]. / Zritelna umora pri trudova deinost, svurzana s uvelicheni zritelni natovarvaniia.

Visual perception is an important factor of human activity. The quality of production activity of the worker depends on its accuracy and speed. Representative groups of workers with various occupational activities, associated with considerable loading of visual system, were systematically examined by clinical and functional methods in the course of several years. A total of 765 subjects were examined, aged from 20 to 55 and a length of service from I to 25 years. The results reveal considerable alterations in visual system within one working day. The most general features of those alterations are as follows: elevation of the threshold of electric sensitivity towards the end of the working day, reduction of light-distinguishing and colour distinguishing sensitivity, the closest point of clear vision is removed father, unproper ergogram with an ascending course, reduction of fusion ability towards the end of the working day, etc. A great part of the subjects over the age of 40, were established to have uncorrected presbyopia, leading to high strain of accommodation and convergation, followed by visual fatigue. The adaptation of visual system to labour conditions is the best at the age range 25-35. The alterations in the visual function are far better manifested in the age group over 40. The determination of fatigue degree and the time of developing of the first alterations is of particular significance for the introduction of additional rest for rehabilitation.

[Various occupational diseases of the eyes caused by ultraviolet radiation]. / Vurkhu niakoi profesionalni uvrezhdaniia na ochite ot ultravioletovo luchenie.

Studies are performed on 87 workers--electric welders (for some of them they continued several years), 68.9% of the subjects have been in contact with ultraviolet radiation for a period of more than 10 years (length of service). There are data for passed acute form of electric ophthalmia, average 6.11 times during the length of service in workers with length of service up to 10 years and 12.1 times in workers with length of service above 10 years. In 11.82% of the workers a chronic form of phtoophthalmia is observed. After observation, for the first time in this country is described specific radiation cataracta in 24.13% of workers--electric welders in contact with ultraviolet radiation during their length of service--above 10 years. The problem of cataractogenesis of ultraviolet rays in electric welding processes is discussed.

[Effect of age on visual functions]. / Vliianie na vuzrastta vurkhu niakoi zritelni funktsii.

The differential color-distinquishing threshold, functional reserves, visual acuity, distance to the nearest point of clear vision and positive part of absolute accomodation were measured in working people in active age. A certain deterioration of these visual parameters with advancing age was recorded, which was practicall manifested by decreased ability for fine distinquishing of details, color and relief, when continuous work at short distance was performed. The greater variations in the functional state of vision at the of the working day in elderly workers require measures to be taken to alleviate work, in conformity with the age characteristics of the visual functions.

[Functional changes in the visual analyzer of female personnel in quality control of ampules]. / Promeni vuv funktsionalnoto sustoianie na zritelniia analizator pri kontrol'orki na ampuli.

The state of the visual apparatus as well as the changes in the functional state of the visual functions, due to the work performed, were studied in 60 female workers checking up the quality of ampoules. The eyes were clinically examined with a view to detection of eye diseases. The results revealed a high percentage of complaints from the visual system, high visual strain, due to the small size of the details to be checked and the irregular illumination of the visual field and the high rate of work. Pathological changes were found in the anterior segment and fundus of the eyes in a great number of the workers. Recommendations are proposed for the optimization of the work in that kind of activity.

[Occupational injuries to workers in contact with carbon disulfide]. / Profesionalni uvrezhdaniia na rabotnitsi v kontakt sus serovuglerod.

Results are reported of a planned prospective longitudinal study of the early phases of angiopathy and other clinical, clinico-laboratory and functional changes in the early period of carbon disulphide effects. Subject of the study were 251 workers employed in artificial fiber production; in 73 of them the complex investigations were repeated within an interval of 3 years. The studies demonstrated the presence of distinct vascular, vegetative and irritative changes. They were low-grade ones, of no particular interest, especially the vascular ones, as they were demonstrable after comparatively short exposure to carbon disulphide and in young age.