[The active search for occupational diseases in the engineering industries. Diseases associated with exposure to welding activities in optical radiation: dry eye syndrome]. / La ricerca attiva delle malattie professionali nel settore della metalmeccanica. Patologie connesse all'esposizione a R.O.A. nelle attività di saldatura: la sindrome dell'occhio secco.

In the project of active research of occupational diseases was conducted a study on 45 welders in the engineering companies, with particular attention to the hazards of exposure to the optical radiation. The protocol used involved the execution of Breack Up test, Schirmer test, corneal staining and scraping cytology. It revealed that more than half of the welders had ocular lesions referable to their work activity as well as some permanent functional damages with the characters of dry eye syndrome. None of these diseases, which could alert for medical-legal and insurance, was highlighted by the occupational health physician.

Increased vascular endothelial growth factor levels in aqueous humor and serum of patients with quiescent uveitis.

PURPOSE: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) are angiogenic mediators that share a significant proinflammatory activity. Both substances have been suggested to play a key role in uveitis pathogenesis. The authors analyzed VEGF and IL-8 levels in the aqueous humor and serum of patients with different types of uveitis during a quiet phase of the disease. METHODS: Thirteen patients with intermediate uveitis, uveitis associated with ankylosing spondylitis, Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease, Fuchs uveitis syndrome, idiopathic chronic anterior uveitis, or Behcet disease, as well as 10 normal matched subjects, were included in the study. VEGF and IL-8 concentrations were measured in aqueous humor and serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: VEGF levels were significantly higher in both the aqueous humor and serum of patients with uveitis as compared with controls. IL-8 concentrations in aqueous humor were significantly higher in patients with uveitis with extraocular manifestations than in those with eye-limited disease. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that VEGF plays a role in uveitis pathogenesis even during inactive disease and that IL-8 levels are significantly influenced by the presence of uveitis-associated extraocular changes.