Systemic silver intoxication

PubMed, the Internet portal of biomedical and life sciences literature, indexed an interesting article, entitled “Corneal and conjunctival findings in systemic silver intoxication” (Klin Monatsbl Augenheilkd. 2006 May;223(5):390-392). Authors are Flogel W, Widmeier S, Hotz P et al, from the Augenklinik, UniversitatsSpital Zurich, Switzerland. Chronic silver intoxication is a rare disease and therefore the typical ocular findings may be missed. The authors report a case of a 33-years-old-employee of a battery production plant developed a biopsy proven systemic argyria. On slit lamp examination the conjunctiva showed a dark, blue-grey discoloration in the areas of the tear flow and the small conjunctival arteries. Diffuse silver deposits were noticed on the level of Descemet’s membrane without endothelial damage. Without options for an effective treatment, early diagnosis and prevention of overexposure are most important. The typical ocular findings in systemic argyria are helpful in occupational medicine for establishing the correct diagnosis. To access the abstract of the article, click here.