Relation between sericeous lime levels and the presence of ocular and visual pathologies in San Benito tannery workers

Abstract

Lime is a chemical substance that may generate changes at a general level or in the ocular surface. Tannery workers in depilated and de-lime-coated processes are exposed to lime, which generate a higher tendency to irritability and aggressiveness of several mucosas in the human body. <em><strong>Objective:</strong></em> to establish if there is a relation between sericeous lime levels and the presence of visual and ocular pathologies in tannery workers. Materials and <em><strong>Methods:</strong></em> a serologic test was taken to 20 workers of the tannery Districarnazas Luna in the neighborhood San Benito in Bogotá. 10 of them were directly exposed to lime (study group) and 10 did not use any kind of chemical substance (control group). A visual and ocular exam was done to both groups. For the statistical analysis the (X2) chi-square test was applied in order to establish a relation between visual an ocular pathologies and positive and negative lime serologic tests in both groups. <em><strong>Results:</strong></em> it was found that prolonged exposition to lime generates pathologies such as blepharitis, diminution of tears and conjunctivitis.