Glassblower's cataract
Cataracts from occupational infrared radiation exposure.
Last updated
It develops after many years or decades of working near hot glass or molten metal.[1] Symptoms typically have a gradual onset, beginning with blurry vision that worsens over time.[2] Occupational exposure to infrared radiation can lead to a specific type of cataract known as glassblower's cataract.[1][3]
Quick Facts
- Cause
- Infrared radiation from hot glass or molten metal
- Treatment
- New prescription
- sunglasses
- or surgery with intraocular lens (IOL)
Facts from the source article.
Key facts and history
The ocular lens stores incident photon energy by resonance absorption, and absorbed infrared photons increase molecular vibration as heat.[4] This heating can cause protein denaturation, where large biomolecules lose their spatial structure.[4] An older theory suggested that excessive sweating on the job led to fluid intake changes that induced cataracts.[4][5] That theory has not been proven, and infrared photons are now accepted as the primary cause.[5]
Wearing protective glasses while working can help prevent this condition.[3] Infrared radiation from intensely heated glass or molten metal, encountered over a long period, is the cause of this condition.[3] After many years of exposure, the lens and iris of the eye absorb infrared radiation, which then leads to cataract formation.[3] Black-body radiation from very hot objects and equipment is the source of the infrared radiation that glassblowers are exposed to.[4]
The speed at which proteins denature is governed by the Arrhenius equation and changes with temperature.[4]
What the research sources say
The National Eye Institute states that cataracts cause a cloudy area in the lens and are very common with age.[6] It notes that early on, a new prescription for eyeglasses may help manage cataracts.[6] It also lists risk factors including diabetes, smoking, excessive alcohol, family history, and sun exposure.[6] The National Eye Institute recommends protecting eyes from the sun to reduce cataract risk.[6]
The Institute states that in cataract surgery, the cloudy natural lens is taken out and an artificial intraocular lens is put in its place.[6]
References
- Wikipedia, "Glassblower's cataract" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Roberts, "A Series of Cases of "glassblowers' Cataract" Occurring in Chainmakers", The British Journal of Ophthalmology, 1921, p. 210–212 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Glassblower's cataract" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Cataracts", National Eye Institute, August 3, 2019 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Glassblower's cataract" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Geddes, "Handbook of Electrical Hazards and Accidents", Lawyers & Judges Publishing Company, 2006, p. 465 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Glassblower's cataract" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Söderberg, "Does infrared or ultraviolet light damage the lens?", Eye, 2016-01-15, p. 241–246 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Glassblower's cataract" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Oriowo, "Glassblowers' ocular health and safety: optical radiation hazards and eye protection assessment", Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics, 1997, p. 216–224 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- "Cataracts", National Eye Institute, August 3, 2019. facts only, no text reused. nei.nih.gov
Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Glassblower's cataract (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.
More in Occupational diseases
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Glassblower's cataract (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Word definitions: the , each quoted from its Wikipedia article.
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced