Retinal Screening of Workers Exposed to Mercury Vapor Using Electroretinography

Mercury vapor is a harmful agent affecting the nervous, digestive, and immune systems. The visual system may also be affected due to exposure to mercury vapor. The present study aims to investigate the potential effects of mercury vapor on the retina of the workers exposed to this destructive agent using electroretinography.

Twelve male workers aged 25- 45 years exposed to mercury vapor in different related occupations were selected for the present research work. Electroretinography (ERG) was examined for all participants in the case group. Amplitude (μv) and latency (msec) of ERG b wave were measured for all patient group participants; the same procedure was repeated for 12 participants of matched age and sex with the normal retinal condition. The results obtained in the case and control groups were compared to investigate the differences between the two groups using SPSS Version 22.

No statistically significant differences were found in terms of demographic variables, i.e., age, whereas the two groups were significantly different in terms of BCVA. Moreover, a significant difference was found between the two groups regarding amplitude of ERG b wave (P < 0.001), whereas no significant differences were found in terms of latency of ERG b wave between case and control groups (P =0.461).

Results of the present study showed that mercury vapor could affect the retina of workers, which can be measured and diagnosed by the amplitude of ERG, b wave.