FOLLOWUP STUDY OF OCULAR CHANGES IN TOXIC GAS EXPOSED POPULATION AT BHOPAL

Abstract

BACKGROUND Bhopal gas tragedy was one of the worst and biggest industrial disaster of the world and it was feared that toxic gas inhalation (Methyl isocyanate) and exposure toxicity might lead to progressive multisystem morbidities. This demanded constant surveillance, intensive research into population based long-term epidemiological studies and development of comprehensive care system to provide relief to sick and suffering. Aim of this study is to estimate and evaluate delayed ocular effects and progression of already existing ocular morbidity in toxic gas exposed population. MATERIALS AND METHODS Prospective cohort study. RESULTS Most common age group was 21 - 50 years. DOV was most prominent symptom and lenticular opacity most common finding. There was reduction in incidence of burning sensation, redness, discharge, conjunctival xerosis, corneal opacity, chronic irritative conjunctivitis and trachoma as compared to previous studies. Increased incidence of pterygium, pinguecula, lenticular opacity, pseudophakia and fundus changes as compared to previous studies. Incidence of corneal opacity was higher than national incidence. CONCLUSION Increased incidence of cataract and ARMD was due to more number of older individuals in study. Decreased incidence of irritative conjunctivitis, infectious diseases, conjunctival xerosis and increased incidence of hypertensive retinopathy, diabetic retinopathy and pseudophakia as compared to previous studies can be attributed to better sanitation and living condition, increased awareness of individuals, increased life expectancy of individuals with long duration of systemic diseases, better and easily approachable health services with free supply of medicines to gas victims. Higher incidence of corneal opacity was due to more inmates in study involved in outdoor activities.