Superior orbital 'petrositis' and late ischaemic monocular blindness induced by intense UV radiation exposure

Abstract

Many physical agents cause neuropathies. The most common are chronic pressure, vibration and temperature. In general, these lesions occur at work, as a result of accidents or through chronic exposure to the physical agent. Radiation leading to peripheral neuropathy is also related to radiotherapy in cancer treatment, as an undesirable side-effect. We present here a case report of short, intense UV radiation exposure at work, leading to delayed-onset ocular neuropathy. A clear cause-effect relationship is shown, demonstrated using magnetic resonance imaging scans. We suggest that the mechanism was thermal and ischaemic.