Metabolic disorders involving metals

Alec Garner, George M. Cherian, J. Godfrey Heathcote

Résultat de recherche: Chapter

Résumé

Several metals such as zinc, copper, and iron are essential for normal cellular functions and tissue metabolism. However, the accumulation of excessive amounts of these essential metals in cells, as a result of metabolic disorders or abnormal exposure, can cause tissue damage. The eye is a potential target organ for many chemicals including metals. Foreign bodies composed of iron or copper can produce marked degenerative changes in the eye and excessive amounts of cobalt can result in cataractous lens changes in laboratory animals (1). Fumes and salts of metals can act as external irritants giving rise to conjunctivitis and corneal ulceration. In addition, exposure to nonessential metals like gold, silver, and mercury can result in characteristic discoloration of the cornea or lens. Nevertheless, since the eye is protected by two physiological barriers, the blood-retinal and bloodaqueous barriers, the toxicity of metals depends not only on the exposure levels but also on the permeability of these barriers. Certain metabolic disorders either inherited or acquired, can affect the deposition of metals in the eye and cause damage. This chapter will describe ocular disorders caused by either deficiencies or increased amounts of the essential metals.

Langue d'origineEnglish
Titre de la publication principaleGarner and Klintworth's Pathobiology of Ocular Disease Part B, Third Edition
Maison d'éditionCRC Press
Pages1049-1062
Nombre de pages14
ISBN (électronique)9781420093919
ISBN (imprimé)142007976X, 9781420079760
Statut de publicationPublished - janv. 1 2007

Note bibliographique

Publisher Copyright:
© 2008 by Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • General Medicine

Empreinte numérique

Plonger dans les sujets de recherche 'Metabolic disorders involving metals'. Ensemble, ils forment une empreinte numérique unique.

Citer