Potential association of bilateral macular edema with retinal vein occlusion triggered by volatile organic compounds of paint: A case report

Purpose: Large amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are contained in printing inks and paint materials. The inhalation of VOCs causes a variety of adverse health effects, and we report our findings in a rare case of bilateral cystoid macular edema (CME) associated with retinal vein occlusion...

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Main Authors: Tatsuya Mimura, Hidetaka Noma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451993625000362
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author Tatsuya Mimura
Hidetaka Noma
author_facet Tatsuya Mimura
Hidetaka Noma
author_sort Tatsuya Mimura
collection DOAJ
description Purpose: Large amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are contained in printing inks and paint materials. The inhalation of VOCs causes a variety of adverse health effects, and we report our findings in a rare case of bilateral cystoid macular edema (CME) associated with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) that was exacerbated after painting work. Observations: A 60-year-old male house painter with bilateral RVO developed a persistent CME. He was treated with triamcinolone acetonide and anti-VEGF intravitreal injections, and later with vitrectomy combined with cataract surgery in both eyes due to a persistent bilateral CME. The CME was partially resolved but the CME recurred immediately after beginning his painting work. Urinary metabolites of paint-related VOCs such as 3-methylhippurate, mandelate, and phenylglyoxylate were very high, with an increase of 2700–7000 % compared with normal values. After resigning from the paint job, the patient's CME improved in both eyes. Conclusions and importance: A CME might be exacerbated by the exposure to paint-related VOCs. Our findings suggest that reducing and avoiding the occupational exposure to VOCs and regular measurements of urinary VOC concentration are important for those who work in the printing and painting industries.
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spelling doaj-art-e211fe7d793a42ec808c6f4321c836152025-08-20T03:53:46ZengElsevierAmerican Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports2451-99362025-06-013810228310.1016/j.ajoc.2025.102283Potential association of bilateral macular edema with retinal vein occlusion triggered by volatile organic compounds of paint: A case reportTatsuya Mimura0Hidetaka Noma1Department of Ophthalmology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Ophthalmology, Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan; Corresponding author. Department of Ophthalmology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Medical University Ibaraki Medical Center, Ami-cho, Inashiki-gun, Ibaraki, JapanPurpose: Large amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are contained in printing inks and paint materials. The inhalation of VOCs causes a variety of adverse health effects, and we report our findings in a rare case of bilateral cystoid macular edema (CME) associated with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) that was exacerbated after painting work. Observations: A 60-year-old male house painter with bilateral RVO developed a persistent CME. He was treated with triamcinolone acetonide and anti-VEGF intravitreal injections, and later with vitrectomy combined with cataract surgery in both eyes due to a persistent bilateral CME. The CME was partially resolved but the CME recurred immediately after beginning his painting work. Urinary metabolites of paint-related VOCs such as 3-methylhippurate, mandelate, and phenylglyoxylate were very high, with an increase of 2700–7000 % compared with normal values. After resigning from the paint job, the patient's CME improved in both eyes. Conclusions and importance: A CME might be exacerbated by the exposure to paint-related VOCs. Our findings suggest that reducing and avoiding the occupational exposure to VOCs and regular measurements of urinary VOC concentration are important for those who work in the printing and painting industries.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451993625000362Anti-VEGFIntravitreal injectionsOccupational exposureRetinal vein occlusion
spellingShingle Tatsuya Mimura
Hidetaka Noma
Potential association of bilateral macular edema with retinal vein occlusion triggered by volatile organic compounds of paint: A case report
American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports
Anti-VEGF
Intravitreal injections
Occupational exposure
Retinal vein occlusion
title Potential association of bilateral macular edema with retinal vein occlusion triggered by volatile organic compounds of paint: A case report
title_full Potential association of bilateral macular edema with retinal vein occlusion triggered by volatile organic compounds of paint: A case report
title_fullStr Potential association of bilateral macular edema with retinal vein occlusion triggered by volatile organic compounds of paint: A case report
title_full_unstemmed Potential association of bilateral macular edema with retinal vein occlusion triggered by volatile organic compounds of paint: A case report
title_short Potential association of bilateral macular edema with retinal vein occlusion triggered by volatile organic compounds of paint: A case report
title_sort potential association of bilateral macular edema with retinal vein occlusion triggered by volatile organic compounds of paint a case report
topic Anti-VEGF
Intravitreal injections
Occupational exposure
Retinal vein occlusion
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451993625000362
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