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The effect of cobalt on the human eye.

The effect of cobalt on the human eye.

Documenta ophthalmologica. Advances in ophthalmology (2014-11-09)

Caroline Ann Lim, Jane Khan, Enid Chelva, Riaz Khan, Timothy Unsworth-Smith

ABSTRACT

The effect of elevated serum cobalt on the human visual system has not yet been established. In light of recent reports of visual problems with elevated cobalt in association with hip prostheses, this review examines the literature for evidence regarding the effects of cobalt on human visual function. A systematic literature review was undertaken in July 2013. The electronic databases of PubMed (1955 to July week 1 2013), Cochrane Library and EMBASE were searched. Only human studies or case reports written in English were included. Eight case reports were identified. Five case reports involved patients with metal hip arthroplasties, two cases involved patients exposed to environmental cobalt, and one case involved a patient treated medically for anaemia with cobalt chloride. No human prospective studies were identified. Several case reports showed that high serum cobalt may be associated with both irreversible and reversible visual loss, optic neuropathy and atrophy, electrophysiological evidence of abnormal retinal and retinal pigment epithelium function and fluorescein angiographic evidence of abnormal choroidal perfusion.

MATERIALS

Product Number

Brand

Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich

Cobalt, foil, thickness 0.1 mm, 99.95% trace metals basis

Sigma-Aldrich

Cobalt, rod, diam. 5.0 mm, 99.95% trace metals basis

Sigma-Aldrich

Cobalt, foil, thickness 1.0 mm, 99.95% trace metals basis

Sigma-Aldrich

Cobalt, foil, thickness 0.1 mm, ≥99.99%

Sigma-Aldrich

Cobalt, wire, diam. 1.0 mm, 99.995% trace metals basis

Sigma-Aldrich

Cobalt, granular, 99.99% trace metals basis

Sigma-Aldrich

Cobalt(II) chloride, AnhydroBeads^™, −10 mesh, 99.9% trace metals basis

Cobalt, foil, 25x25mm, thickness 1.0mm, as rolled, 99.99+%

Cobalt, foil, not light tested, 50x50mm, thickness 0.025mm, 99.9%

Sigma-Aldrich

Cobalt, pieces, 99.5% trace metals basis

Sigma-Aldrich

Cobalt(II) chloride, AnhydroBeads^™, −10 mesh, 99.995% trace metals basis

Sigma-Aldrich

Cobalt, Carbon coated magnetic, nanopowder, <50 nm particle size (TEM), ≥99%

Cobalt, wire reel, 0.5m, diameter 0.5mm, hard, 99.99+%

Sigma-Aldrich

Cobalt, powder, 2 μm particle size, 99.8% trace metals basis

Cobalt, wire reel, 2m, diameter 0.05mm, hard, 99.9%

Cobalt, foil, not light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.008mm, 99.9%

Sigma-Aldrich

Cobalt(II) chloride, purum p.a., anhydrous, ≥98.0% (KT)

Sigma-Aldrich

Cobalt(II) chloride, 97%

Cobalt, foil, 8mm disks, thickness 0.025mm, 99.9%

Cobalt, foil, 8mm disks, thickness 0.007mm, 99.9%

Cobalt, foil, 8mm disks, thickness 0.05mm, as rolled, 99.99+%

Cobalt, foil, 6mm disks, thickness 0.006mm, 99.9%

Cobalt, foil, not light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.005mm, 99.9%

Cobalt, foil, not light tested, 50x50mm, thickness 0.0125mm, 99.9%

Cobalt, foil, 4mm disks, thickness 0.125mm, annealed, 99.9%

Cobalt, foil, 4mm disks, thickness 0.025mm, 99.9%

Cobalt, microfoil, disks, 10mm, thinness 0.25μm, specific density 222μg/cm², permanent mylar 3.5μm support, 99.9%

Cobalt, foil, 6mm disks, thickness 0.007mm, 99.9%

Cobalt, foil, 8mm disks, thickness 0.25mm, as rolled, 99.9%

Cobalt, foil, 8mm disks, thickness 0.05mm, as rolled, 99.9%