Outdoor Air Pollution and Pterygium in Korea

Abstract

We investigated relationships between outdoor air pollution and pterygium in Korean adults. This study includes 23,276 adults in population-based cross-sectional data using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008–2011. Pterygium was assessed using slit lamp biomicroscopy. Air pollution data (humidity, particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 10 μm [PM10], ozone [O3], nitrogen dioxide [NO2], and sulfur dioxide levels [SO2]) for 2 years preceding the ocular examinations were acquired. Associations of multiple air pollutants with pterygium or pterygium recurrence after surgery were examined using multivariate logistic models, after adjusting for several covariates. Distributed lag models were additionally used for estimating cumulative effects of air pollution on pterygium. None of air pollution factors was significantly associated with pterygium or pterygium recurrence (each P > 0.05). Distributed lag models also showed that air pollution factors were not associated with pterygium or pterygium recurrence in 0-to-2 year lags (each P > 0.05). However, primary pterygium showed a weak association with PM10 after adjusting for covariates (odds ratio [OR] 1.23; [per 5 μg/m3 PM10 increase]; P = 0.023). Aging, male sex, and greater sun exposure were associated with pterygium, while higher education level and myopia were negatively associated with pterygium (each P ≤ 0.001). Male sex and myopia were negatively associated with pterygium recurrence (each P < 0.05). In conclusion, exposure to higher PM10 levels was associated with primary pterygium, although this study observed no significant association between air pollution and overall pterygium or pterygium recurrence in Korean adults.

<p>Prevalence and Associated Factors of Pterygium Among Adults Living in Kolla Diba Town, Northwest Ethiopia</p>

“…24,28,42 Many other previous studies also found a strong positive association between sun exposure and pterygium as excessive sun exposure causes damage to limbal stem cells by activation of matrix metalloproteinase, which leads to pterygium. [24][25][26]33,42,46 There was also a positive association between wind exposure and the prevalence of pterygium. This finding is supported by the study conducted in Hawaii, which showed that increased risk of exposure to wind while surfing and doing outdoor activities may contribute to pterygium development due to the entrance of airborne debris into the eye.…”

“…7,15,24 The exposure to environmental factors is also higher in Africa, including Ethiopia but the evidence is scarce on the prevalence of pterygium in this region. 13,[25][26][27][28][29] Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of pterygium among adults in Kolla Diba town. The result of this study will be important for planning and implementing health care services and also act as baseline data for further studies.…”

How air pollution affects the eyes — a review

“…The connection between developing a pterygium and level of air pollution is not well studied yet. The population-based study in Korea, which included 23 276 people did not show any association between air pollution and forming or recurrence of pterygium, instead the influence of UV (ultraviolet) light and ageing was observed [9].…”

Machine learning prediction on number of patient due to conjunctivitis based on air pollutants: A preliminary study

“…Accumulating evidence indicates that air pollution has a signi cant impact on cardiovascular-and chronic cardiopulmonary-related morbidity and mortality in China [23][24][25]. Some studies have also shown that air pollution is associated with eye diseases, such as dry eye [26][27], conjunctivitis and pterygium [28].…”