Bilateral Optic Neuropathy Secondary to Manganese Toxicity

Manganese is a common heavy metal, occupational exposure to which may occur via skin absorption or inhalation of fumes in the pottery and electroplating industries. A syndrome of chronic manganism has been described in the Occupational Medicine literature, with Neurological symptoms including Parkinson-like tremour, fatigue, tinnitus, memory loss and vague visual disturbances. No documentation of visual loss could be found in the Ophthalmological literature.