Welder’s Maculopathy Following Occupational Arc Exposure

Abstract

Welding-induced photic maculopathy is an uncommon but preventable occupational retinal injury resulting from prolonged exposure to welding arc radiation. We report a 31-year-old male welder who presented with blurred vision, predominantly in the right eye (OD). Best-corrected visual acuity was 20/40 in OD and 20/20 in the left eye (OS). Fundus examination revealed a dull foveal reflex in OD. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) demonstrated focal ellipsoid-zone disruption in OD, while OS showed preserved foveal architecture with subtle outer retinal/RPE irregularity. In the context of the occupational history, these findings were considered compatible with probable welding-induced photic maculopathy. The patient was advised to use appropriate certified welding eye/face protection consistently and to avoid direct or unprotected viewing of the welding arc. This case highlights the value of SD-OCT in demonstrating outer retinal changes in symptomatic welders and reinforces the importance of appropriate occupational eye protection.