Korean J Ophthalmol.  2006 Dec;20(4):250-253. 10.3341/kjo.2006.20.4.250.

A Case of Photic Retinal Injury Associated with Exposure to Plasma Arc Welding

• Choi SW
• Chun KI
• Lee SJ
• Rah SH

• KMID: 754593
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/kjo.2006.20.4.250

Abstract

PURPOSE: To report of photic retinopathy induced by plasma arc welding, and the OCT (optical coherence tomography) results of damaged retinal lesions. METHODS: We describe a case report of a 37-year-old male, working in the steel industry, who presented with central scotoma in both eyes. RESULTS: On his first visit, one day after performing plasma arc welding with protective gear at work, his best corrected vision was 0.7 for both eyes. Ophthalmic examination of the fundus showed a round yellow lesion with an approximate size of 300 micrometers superonasal to the fovea of both eyes. On his next visit, one month later, his vision had recovered to 1.0, his symptoms had improved, and the ophthalmoscopic examination of the fundus revealed that the round yellow spots had disappeared from both eyes. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first report of photic retinopathy induced by plasma arc welding, and the OCT (optical coherence tomography) results of damaged retinal lesions have not previously been reported. For these reasons, we report this case.

Keyword

Optical coherence tomography; Photic retinal injury; Plasma arc welding; Welding arc retinopathy

MeSH Terms

*Welding
Trauma Severity Indices
Tomography, Optical Coherence
Retinal Diseases/*etiology/pathology
Retina/*injuries/pathology/radiation effects
Male
Light/*adverse effects
Humans
Fundus Oculi
Fluorescein Angiography
Eye Burns/*complications/pathology
Diagnosis, Differential
Adult
*Accidents, Occupational

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Fundus photograph shows a round yellowish lesion at the parafoveal area (both eyes).

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  Fig. 2 Amsler grid test shows a round scotoma in the central region (both eyes).

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  Fig. 3-1 The OCT shows the normal finding of the cross-sectional retinal image (right eye).

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  Fig. 3-2 The OCT shows the normal finding of the cross0sectional retinal image (left eye).

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  Fig. 4 Ring-shaped paracentral hyperfluorescence appears simultaneously with a central halo in the early phase (white arrow, right eye).

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  Fig. 5 The dark center of the lesion is surrounded by progressively increasing hyperfluorescence in the late phase (white arrow, right eye).

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  Fig. 6 Ring-shaped paracentral hyperfluorescence appears simultaneously with a central halo in the early phase (white arrow, left eye).

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  Fig. 7 The dark center of the lesion is surrounded by progressively increasing hyperfluorescence in the late phase (white arrow, left eye).

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