Ocular Medical Surveillance on Microwave and Laser Workers

Results of over 800 medical surveillance ocular examinations on microwave and laser workers were evaluated using multiple regression analysis techniques. No lenticular or retinal defects were noted that could be attributed to work with either microwave or laser radiation. Increased incidences of minute lenticular defects were noted with increasing age. A high variability in the recording of such defects at different locations was attributed to differences in the subjective evaluation of individual examiners. It was concluded that periodic medical surveillance as conducted on the microwave and laser workers under study was nonproductive and suggestions were made to limit medical surveillance for these worker groups to preassignment, postaccident exposure, and termination eye examinations.