Erie JC, Butz JA, et al, Am J Ophthalmol, 2005;139(5):888-893.
(Address: Jay C. Erie, MD, (FAX) 507-284-4612, E-mail: erie.jay@mayo.edu)

In a study of 30 autopsy eyes of 16 individuals, lead and cadmium were found in all the pigmented ocular tissues, with the greatest concentration in the retinal pigment epithelium/choroid at a mean of 432 ng/g and 2,358 ng/g, respectively. Cadmium was found in the retina of all eyes at a mean of 1,072 ng/g, while lead was found in the retina in 30% of the eyes, with a mean value of 53 ng/g. Trace amounts of lead and cadmium were found in the vitreous at a mean of 0.5 ng/dl and 19 ng/dl, respectively; the lens with a mean of 13 ng/g and 20 ng/g, respectively; and blood, with a mean of 0.5 mcg/dl and 3.1 mcg/l, respectively, but were not detected in the aqueous. Mercury and thallium were not detected in any ocular tissues or fluids or in the blood. Lead and cadmium accumulate in human ocular tissue, especially in the retinal pigment epithelium and choroid, which may play a role in chronic eye diseases.