Frequency and Risk Factors for Pterygium in the Barbados Eye Study

Abstract

To describe the distribution and risk factors for pterygium in the predominantly black population of the Barbados Eye Study, which was based on a random sample of Barbadian-born citizens between the ages of 40 and 84 years. Methods: The standardized protocol included ophthalmic and other measurements, automated perimetry, lens gradings, fundus photography, and a detailed interview. A 10% systematic sample of participants and those meeting specific criteria also received a comprehensive ophthalmologic evaluation. Results: The Barbados Eye Study included 4709 participants, of whom 2978 were referred for an ophthalmologic evaluation and 2781 (93%) completed the examination. Cases of pterygium were found among 23.4% of 2617 black, 23.7% of 97 mixed (black and white), and 10.2% of 59 white participants examined. In addition to African ancestry, logistic regression analyses indicated a positive association between pterygium and age (odds ratio [OR], 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-1.02), fewer years of education (OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.01-2.03), and an outdoor job location (OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.52-2.29). Having a darker skin complexion (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.52-0.83), always using sunglasses outdoors (OR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.06-0.59), and the use of prescription glasses (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.60-0.93) were protective factors. Conclusions: Approximately one quarter of the black participants examined had pterygia, a frequency that was 2.5 to 3 times higher than among whites in the Barbados Eye Study and elsewhere. Pterygium was almost twice as frequent among persons who worked outdoors but was only one fifth as likely among those who always used sunglasses outdoors. Educational interventions to modify these potential exposures may assist in preventing pterygium.

Pterygium in an aged Mongolian population: a population-based study in China

“…26 The survey found that the participants who seldom use sunglasses and/or wear a hat when they are outside had a positive association to pterygium (OR 1.5; 95% CI, 1.2, 1.9 and OR 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1, 1.7, respectively). This result was similar to the Barbados Eye Study 23 and Rosenthal et al 30 We believe the protective mechanism is related to the ability of glasses and a hat to block ultraviolet-B wavelengths of sunlight or to shield the eye from other harmful environmental exposures, since hazardous environmental factors play a very important role in pterygium formation.…”

“…21 The prevalence of pterygium among 477 residents on a tropical island in Indonesia, however, was high, at 17.0%, 22 and the black population of the Barbados Eye Study was even higher, 23.4% of 2617 participants were aged 40-84 years. 23 The highest prevalence of pterygium, to our knowledge, was in subjects aged 50 years or above in a rural area of southern China, 33.01%. 10 In HES, we found the prevalence of pterygium was 13.5 (95% CI, 11.2, 15.9) in participants aged 40-49, but 27.5% (95% CI, 15.2, 39.7) for those aged 80 and above.…”

“…14 In the Barbados Eye Study, logistic regression analyses indicated a positive association between pterygium and fewer years of education (p12 years) (OR 1.43; 95% CI, 1.01, 2.03). 23 The level of education was possibly as a result of a lower socioeconomic status in Mongolian people. The HES found that fewer years of education (o3 years) had a positive effect on pterygium (OR 2.1; Pterygium in an aged Mongolian population J Lu et al 95% CI, 1.4, 3.2) as did a low economic family status (OR 1.3; 95% CI, 1.0, 1.6).…”

Epidemiology of pterygium on a tropical island in the Riau Archipelago

“…The prevalence rates of pterygium reported in different studies vary considerably (0.35-31.1%) [1][2][3][4][5][6] and may be affected by factors such as age, 6,7 gender, [6][7][8] ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure, [7][8][9][10][11] and time spent outdoors. 1,3,12,13 Our study aimed to describe the epidemiology of pterygium among residents of a tropical island in Indonesia and to examine the roles of age and gender as determinants of bilaterality and severity of the disease.…”

Genetic polymorphism of hOGG1 and risk of pterygium in Chinese

“…Although the pathogenesis of pterygium is still uncertain, some risk factors including ultraviolet (UV) exposure, [9][10][11][12] age, 1,11 race, 13 and family history 14 have been proposed. Among these risk factors, UV exposure has been documented to have strong correlation with pterygium, but the mechanism by which UV light induces pterygium remains elusive.…”