Occupational laser exposure affected workers' visual system

Objective To investigate the adverse effects of occupational exposure to low intensity laser on workers' eyes.

Methods Totally 113 workers occupational exposed to laser irradiation and 118 workers without any records of exposure to known occupational hazards in 2 electronic processing enterprises were studied. The laser intensities at individual workplaces were detected and ophthalmologic examinations were carried out.

Results Eight workplaces where workers exposed to laser radiation were measured, and it was found that the range of these laser intensities was (1.2-4.4)×10^-5 W/cm² with the average(2.4 ±1.1)×10^-5 W/cm², which was lower than national exposure limit. The ophthalmologic examinations showed that the abnormality of both lens and fundus of laser-exposed workers was significant higher (P < 0.01), while there was no difference of visual function index (near visual acuity, distant visual acuity, color vision, and visual field) between the exposed workers and the others(P>0.05).

Conclusion Low intensity laser exposure could cause injury of eyes. More attention should be paid to these exposed workers and the corresponding occupational health surveillance standard should be established.