Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L01039:reg:9
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L01039
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 9
Character Range: 3406–5127

9               Factors that must exist
At least one of the following factors must as a minimum exist before it can be said that a reasonable hypothesis has been raised connecting pinguecula or death from pinguecula with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:
(1)          having sunlight exposure to the unprotected eye for at least 2,250 hours while in a tropical area, or having equivalent sunlight exposure in other latitude zones, before clinical onset;
Note: latitude equivalent hours of sun exposure are calculated as follows:
(a)         hours of sun exposure in tropical latitudes (23.5° Sth to 23.5° Nth) multiplied by 1.0;
(b)         hours of sun exposure in subtropical latitudes (23.6° - 35°) multiplied by 0.75;
(c)         hours of sun exposure in warm temperate latitudes (35.1° - 45°) multiplied by 0.5;
(d)         hours of sun exposure in cool temperate latitudes (45.1° - 65°) multiplied by 0.25;
The number of latitude equivalent hours of sun exposure in each region are then added together. This is done to account for differences in sunlight intensity at different latitudes.
(2)          having heavy exposure of the unprotected affected eye to dust, where the upper body is mostly covered in dust, for an average of at least 20 hours per week for two years, before clinical onset;
(3)          having exposure of the affected eye to arc welding radiation and fumes, while welding without eye protection, for an average of at least 20 hours per week for at least the 2 years, before clinical onset;
(4)          having Meibomian gland dysfunction at the time of clinical onset;
(5)          inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for pinguecula before clinical worsening.