An unrecognised form of hydrogen sulphide keratoconjunctivitis.

In 1988 six men were referred to St Paul's Eye Hospital after the onset of acutely painful, red eyes while at work at a local sausage casing factory. These patients prepared sheep intestine for sausage skin manufacture. Ocular examination showed bilateral blepharospasm, photophobia and lacrimation, intense conjunctival injection, and superficial punctate corneal erosions. There were no other abnormal ocular findings and results of systemic examination were normal. Treatment was with chloramphenicol eye ointment. All patients were reviewed within 24 hours ofpresentation. In all cases the symptoms had resolved and slit lamp biomicroscopy showed resolution of the superficial punctate corneal erosions. On further questioning, none of the patients had been able to work until his symptoms had resolved; this interval ranged from 12 to 24 hours.