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donnaf  
#1 Posted : 30 January 2012 18:17:37(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
donnaf

Hi All,

Long time since I last used this forum but know I can usually get some sensible responses!

Has anyone come across any issues or the story that welders who are diabetic have been know to turn blind before they are 40?!?

I am well aware that there is a risk between diabetes and blindness and of the varying health risks associated with welding but a direct linke between welding/diabetes and blindness?

I have an apprentice welder who has been told this story and is now naturally worried. I was interested to hear the thoughts of my colleagues.

D
ronnie  
#2 Posted : 30 January 2012 18:43:07(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
ronnie

I am a welder to trade and never heard of this in all the 25 years I was welding
John J  
#3 Posted : 30 January 2012 20:00:05(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
John J

Diabetes can cause the blood vessels in the eye to grow abnormally and if damaged can cause bleeding and blindness. That said I've never heard of a case relating to welding. I suppose in theory damage caused by arc eye could initiate this but then again there is no reason why a welder using the gear properly would suffer it.
Canopener  
#4 Posted : 30 January 2012 21:06:07(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Canopener

It's a new one on me and I know of no previous mention of issues relating to diabetic retinopathy being aggravated by welding.

You might try making an enquiry with 'someone' like diabetes uk
Graham Bullough  
#5 Posted : 31 January 2012 00:25:09(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Graham Bullough

Like those who have responded already, I've never heard of welding causing an exacerbation of eye problems in welders with diabetes.

As an aside, I have heard and read over the years about a widespread belief in the past that drinking milk gave some sort of protection/benefit to welders against fumes inhaled from their work, especially zinc fumes derived from galvanised metal. Even though experts deemed this to be a myth many years ago - and stressed instead the need for effective measures to prevent fume inhalation - it appears from a quick internet search that some welders and even their employers still believe in the milk myth.
Betta Spenden  
#6 Posted : 31 January 2012 07:52:20(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Betta Spenden

donnaf wrote:
usually get some sensible responses!


Ditto to all of the above, its a new one on me and the milk thingy also rings a bell. Seriously though, my lad gave up welding because the tutors at a certain training place, in a certain city, which takes its name from the county of Lincolnshire, told too many horror stories like this. It got him so worried he packed in his job to boot.

On a different note (re; quote) I now have a safety issue regarding electricity. I laughed at that one so much that my computer is now wearing my morning coffee.

johnmurray  
#7 Posted : 31 January 2012 11:23:00(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
johnmurray

Diabetics are prone to diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts.
Welders are more likely to develop cataracts than non-welders.
Since there is at least one eye problem common to both............................but then...that's what screens/helmets are for.
For more security wear protective specs that are uv filter as well, that avoids "flashes" from other operatives.
johnmurray  
#8 Posted : 31 January 2012 11:24:03(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
johnmurray

Better still, avoid welding.
Become a safety inspector.
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