Ocular manifestation of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) intoxication. Its relationship to PCB blood concentration

Abstract

One hundred seventeen patients had polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) poisoning. Thirty-nine patients were male; 78 were female. The primary ocular manifestations were profuse discharge from the eyes (80.5%), swelling and pigmentation of the upper lids (58.9%), abnormal pigmentation of conjunctivae (66.6%), and hypersecretion and swelling of the meibomian glands (70.1%). The severity of these changes were directly related to the PCB concentration in the blood. Particularly, heavy pigmentation of conjunctivae, abnormal cystic formation, and hypersecretion of the meibomian glands occurred in those patients whose blood PCB concentration was greater than 41 parts per billion. Ocular signs not only provide early signs for diagnosis, but also serve to indicate the severity of PCB poisoning.