Abstract
Purpose:
Asian dust is originated from Northern China and spreads over China and some part of Japan by the wind. It has been known as the major air pollutant exacerbating allergic diseases. We reported the increased number of acute conjunctivitis in Fukuoka area during the season of Asian dust and the presence of asian dust particles on the ocular surface of the patients. To clarify the nature of asian dust-relataed conjunctivitis, clinical findings had been further analysed in this study.
Methods:
Forty five patients [men : women = 30 : 15, 49.6 ±22.7 years old (mean ± S.D.) ] with newly diagnosed acute conjunctivitis from March 12 to May 24, 2013 in Fukuoka area were selected as candidates. The degree of inflammatory reaction, itchy sensation, hyperemia, eye discharge, foreign body sensation were clinically recorded and scored. Asian dust particle on the ocular surface of candidate was studied as the method we reported. Clinical findings of Asian dust particle-positive patients were analysed.
Results:
Forty four out of forty fives patients (97.8%) were Asian dust positive. The presence of the percentage of the Asian dust particle varied from 7 to 56 % (average= 26%). Only clinical finding scores of hyperemia and itchy sensation had significant difference in the subgroup where Asian dust /whole particulate ratio was higher than the average of 26%. (t-test : P<0.01, respectively).
Conclusions:
Clinical findings of the Asian dust -related conjunctivitis suggested allergic reaction. Further studies should be conducted.