Joanne R. Pompano
If it is determined that there is no genetic reason for a visual problem, doctors may investigate the possibility of a complication that occurred during the early part of the pregnancy. This is the period when the eyes develop. (70) Researchers wanted to find out if this chemical had interrupted fetal development and caused children to be visually impaired.
Animal experiments suggest a possible link between benomyl and anophthalmia. (71) In the USA, for instance, research indicated that rats were heavily exposed to this fungicide they produced offspring had other eye abnormalities including an ophthalmic and microphthalmic. (72) It was reported that 43 percent of the offspring of pregnant rats that were fed benomyl developed malformations. (73)
On the other hand, medical researchers are also checking into environmental causes such as viruses or toxins as well as looking for a genetic cause of the defect. Potential environmental causes of the eye birth defects include toxins and drugs including: prenatal exposure to ethambutol compound (used to treat tuberculosis); thalidomide (a sedative) and Vitamin A. (74) Also, the U.K. Ministry of Agriculture concluded in April 1993 that there is no evidence to link eye defects in infants with the use of or exposure to benomy. (75)
