Pinguicula in urban office workers in Japan

Abstract

Purpose: : We examined the prevalence of pinguicula in Tokyo office workers and the efficacy of glasses and ultraviolet cut contact lens (UVCL).

Methods: : Subjects comprised 272 respondents (74 male, 198 female, average age 38.4 years old) to a questionnaire on glasses and UVCL usage and time spent outdoors given to 298 office workers. Ophthalmic examinations were performed in Tokyo, September 2010. Pinguicula adjacent to limbus and peripheral to limbus were classified as "limbal" and "peripheral",respectively. Subjects were grouped as contact lens (CL), glasses (GL), and non-wearing (NO) noting history of use. One experienced ophthalmologist determined presence size, protrusion and site of pinguicula by standard classification, and ultraviolet fluorescence photography (UVFP) which can elicit the specific fluorescence in the pinguecula was performed to detect its early stage in all cases.

Results: : Some 57.4% of subjects had pinguicula with no difference in prevalence by gender (54.1% male,58.6% female). Prevalence increased with age (20s 42.3%; 30s 56.6%, 40s 61.1%,60s 65.0%). Among the UVFP photos presence of areas of increased fluorescence was detected in 84% of cases. Size of pinguicula tended to increase with age. Prevalence in GL (37.7%) was significantly lower than in CL (62.0% p<0.05) and NO (63.3% p<0.001) groups. Of pinguicula in GL and NO groups, 95% were limbal,whereas 54% were peripheral in CL group (temporal side of right eye).

Conclusions: : Pinguicula(including the initial change) was seen in 84% of urban office workers. Use of glasses is effective in prevention of pinguicula. UVCL use can also reduce risk of pinguicula at the corneal limbus.

Keywords: conjunctiva • pterygium • contact lens