Toxic Optic Neuropathy Due to Mercury in Skin Lightening Products.

Neuroophthalmology

Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

Published: September 2023

AI Article Synopsis

  • Mercury can be found in common household items like soaps and skin-lightening creams, leading to concerning health effects.
  • A 30-year-old Somali woman experienced vision loss and was diagnosed with bilateral optic atrophy, which was linked to elevated mercury levels in her blood and urine.
  • The case highlights the importance of testing for heavy metals when investigating vision problems, and clinicians should be cautious about the potential mercury content in cosmetic products.

Article Abstract

Mercury has been described as been in daily household items such as soaps, skin-lightening creams (SLC), and topical disinfectants. Mercury exposure can reportedly cause damage to the optic nerve and retina. A 30-year-old Somali woman presented with decreased vision and was found to have bilateral optic atrophy. Neuroimaging and laboratory work-up for nutritional deficiencies, heavy metals, and syphilis were performed. Evaluation revealed normal neuroimaging and laboratory work-up except for elevated serum and urine mercury levels. Mercury levels at the initial blood test was 11.1 ug/L (normal limits < 10.0 ug/L) and was 15.7 ug/L on repeat testing. A 24-h urine test showed elevated mercury at 16 ug/24 h (normal limits < 2 ug/24 h). Evaluation of an unlabelled SLC that she was using showed the presence of mercury. It is worth testing for heavy metals in the work-up of bilateral optic atrophy. Clinicians should consider cosmetic products as a potential source of mercury exposure and recommend discontinuation if mercury is present.

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Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10745285PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01658107.2023.2251580DOI Listing

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