AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION AND CUTANEOUS SIGNS OF MERCURY TOXICITY

Abstract

ABSTRACTObjective. The objective of this study is to determine the relationship between age-related macular disease, and cutaneous signs of mercury toxicity. Methods. Fourteen patients with macular degeneration, 14 patients with Grover's disease, 14 control patients over the age of 52 with no signs of Grover's disease, and nine control patients over age 57 with measurable blood mercury levels but no evidence of macular degeneration were randomly selected. All patients had physical exam, skin biopsies where applicable, and blood mercury levels checked. Results. Of the 14 patients with macular degeneration, 11 patients had Grover's disease, two had spongiotic papules as reported by Dantzig, and 13 had measurable blood mercury levels. Of the 14 patients with Grover's disease, all 14 patients had measurable blood mercury levels and three of the patients were treated with diet and chelation with excellent response. Conclusions. Grover's disease may represent a cutaneous marker for age-related macular degeneration, and low levels of mercury may represent an etiology for both age-related macular degeneration and Grover's disease. If these findings are corroborated and proven to be true, then both diseases could potentially be drastically reduced or eradicated through strict environment controls.