25
eral observation that the Marshallese age faster
than Americans. The incidence was higher in the
exposed group (36%) than in the unexposed group
(19%). However,-recent analvsis of aging criteria
did not show anysignificant differences between
exposed and unexposed groups.
Though diabetes mellitus has a moderately high
incidence in the Marshall Islanders, only one case
of diabetic retinopathy was noted. This is in keeping with the observation that the onsetof diabetes in
the Marshallese occurs largely in older individuals.
The incidence of pinguecula and pterygium is
high in the Marshall Islands, and also slightly
higher in the exposed group than in the unexposed
(see Table 16). It has been postulated that the
higher incidence in the exposed group maybe related to contamination of the conjunctival sac
with fallout material at the time of the accident.
The incidence of abnormalities of the crystalline
lens is greater in the Marshall Islanders than in
similar age groups in the United Scates. Further-
more, the incidence of such abnormalities was
Tabie lo
Ophthaimological Survev, 1964
Exposed
No.
My
Number examined
68
Anisocoria
Anterior staphyloma
Arcus senilis
Argyll Roberton pupil
Chalazion
Choroiditis (old, healed with scars)
Conjunctivitis
Corneal pigment
Corneal scar
Driisen
Duane’s syndrome
Lens: Polychromatic sheen
Opacities & cataract: presenile
senile
1
l
25
I
1.40
1.40
36.70
1.40
3
1
2
3
1
4.20
1.40
2.80
4.20
1.40
18
1
12
26.50
1.40
17.60
1
1
1,40
1.40
Aphakia
Leprosy, eve signs of
Macuiar degeneration
Molluscum contagiosum
Melanomaofiris
Melanomaof conjunctiva
Nystagmus
Pinguecula
Pterygium
Proptosis
Phthisis bulbi
Positive Rhomberg
Retinal arteriosclercsis
Retinal scars
Retinal hemorrhage
Strabismus: Internal
External
Seventh nerve weakness
Vitreous opacities
2
Children
of exposed
No.
%
45
1.40
11
20
16.20
29.40
1
4
2
l
1.40
6.00
2.80
1.40
3
7.30
No.
l
0.52
37
19.46
2
3
.05
1.37
2
1.05
1
41
3
25
0.52
21.37
1.37
10.64
\
2
1
2
0.52
1.05
0.52
1.05
2
17
38
1.05
8.44
19.98
1
\
9
5
0.52
9.52
+.68
2.60
L
2
1
3
0.52
1.05
0.52
1.37
l
1
1
%
190
2.80
1
Controls
2.2
0.52
0.52