Summary
In order to clarify the influence of carbon disulfide exposure level on the progress of retinopathy, direct ophthalmoscopy and color fundus photography were performed on 338 randomly-selected workers of a viscose rayon staple plant.
Retinal abnormalities characterized by microaneurysms were found in 89 of 289 workers exposed to carbon disulfide (30.8%) and in 2 of 49 control workers not exposed to carbon disulfide (4.1%). The prevalence of retinopathy among 124 high exposure group members was significantly higher than that among 127 low exposure group members. Results clearly showed that the prevalence of retinopathy increased with both increasing carbon disulfide exposure duration and increasing concentration.
Finally, the onset and progress of retinal changes due to carbon disulfide are compared to those occuring with diabetes mellitus.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Goto, S., Hotta, R.: The medical and hygienic prevention of carbon disulfide poisoning in Japan. In: Toxicology of carbon disulfide (H. Brieger, J. Teisinger, eds.), pp.219–230. Amsterdam: Excerpta Medica Foundation 1967
Goto, S., Hotta, R., Sugimoto, K.: Studies on chronic carbon disulfide poisoning — Pathogenesis of retinal microaneurysm due to carbon disulfide, with special reference to a subclinical defect of carbohydrate metabolism. Int.Arch.Arbeitsmed. 28, 115–126 (1971)
Goto, S., Sugimoto, K., Hotta, R., Graovac-Leposavić, L., Savić, S.M., Jovicić, M.: Retinal microaneurysm in carbon disulfide workers in Yugoslavia. Pracov. Lék. 24, 66–70 (1972)
Hotta, R., Goto, S.: A fluorescein angiographic study on microangiopathia sulfocarbonica. Jap. J. Ophthal. 15, 132–139 (1972)
Raitta, Ch., Tolonen, M., Nurminen, M.: Microcirculation of ocular fundus in viscose rayon workers exposed to carbon disulfide. Albrecht v. Graefes Arch. klin. exp. Ophthal. 191, 151–164 (1974)
Scott, G.I.: Ocular complication of diabetes mellitus. Brit. J. Ophthal. 37, 705 (1953)
Scott, G.I.: Ocular aspects of diabetes. Trans.ophthal.Soc.U.K. 77, 115 (1957)
Scott, G.I.: Clinical aspects and implications of diabetic retinopathy. In: Diabetes mellitus (L.J.P. Duncan, ed.), p.87, University of Edinburgh (1966)
Seppäläinen, A.-M., Tolonen, M.: Neurotoxicity of long term exposure to carbon disulfide in the viscose rayon industry. A neurophysiological study. Wk. Environ. Hlth 11, 145–153 (1974)
Shikano, S.: Tonyobyo-Gantei (eye fundus of diabetes). Tokyo: Igakushoin 1970
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sugimoto, K., Goto, S. & Hotta, R. An epidemiological study on retinopathy due to carbon disulfide. Int. Arch Occup Environ Heath 37, 1–8 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00409360
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00409360