Miners' nystagmus

Abstract

1. Miners' nystagmus is an occupational disease of the nervous system, occuring in two forms, confined to workers in coal mines. The chief physical sign is a rotatory oscillation of the eyeballs giving rise to apparent movement of objects as its prime symptom.

2. The disease, generally of gradual onset, though acute cases are seen, especially in the young, attacks men of all ages, but is most commonly seen in middle life.

3. Deficient light is the chief etiological factor, other factors such as method of work, accidents, errors of refraction, alcoholism and general diseases, are of secondary importance only.

4. As to prognosis, there is no truth in the statement that miners' nystagmus causes permanent damage to the eye, or even blindness, if underground work is continued after the onset of symptoms.

5. The disease may be said to be a benign one as it is pre -eminently curable.

6. The ideal preventative measure would be to instal elec- tric lighting at the coal face but .o the men will not have elec- tricity either for lighting or for machinery in view of the prevalence of gas, the obligatory stone dusting and the adoption of white washing coupled with a change of lamps to the cap pattern, will, I believe, help, if not to wipe out nystagmus, at least to render it sufficiently mild so that incapacity resulting from it will be largely prevented.