April 2009
Volume 50, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   April 2009
Correlation Between Air Pollution and Tear Break-Up Time: Individual Measures of Air Pollution, Ophthalmological Examination and Clinical Tests
A. Berra; L. Hansen; M. Berra; G. Kuba; P. Novaes; I. Berra; L. Dawidowski; P. H. Saldiva
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • A. Berra
    Laboratory of Ocular Investigation, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
    Ophthalmology, Laboratory of Medical Investigation, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • L. Hansen
    Laboratory of Ocular Investigation, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • M. Berra
    Laboratory of Ocular Investigation, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
    Lagleyze Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • G. Kuba
    Laboratory of Ocular Investigation, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • P. Novaes
    Ophthalmology, Laboratory of Medical Investigation, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • I. Berra
    Biofundus, Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • L. Dawidowski
    Environmental Monitoring Group, Chemistry Activity Unit, Atomic Energy National Commission, Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • P. H. Saldiva
    Laboratory of Experimental Air Pollution, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  A. Berra, None; L. Hansen, None; M. Berra, None; G. Kuba, None; P. Novaes, None; I. Berra, None; L. Dawidowski, None; P.H. Saldiva, None.
  • Footnotes
    Support  UBACyT403, Argentina
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science April 2009, Vol.50, 2604. doi:
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      A. Berra, L. Hansen, M. Berra, G. Kuba, P. Novaes, I. Berra, L. Dawidowski, P. H. Saldiva; Correlation Between Air Pollution and Tear Break-Up Time: Individual Measures of Air Pollution, Ophthalmological Examination and Clinical Tests. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2009;50(13):2604.

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Abstract

Purpose: : To estimate the effects of different levels of air pollution on the ocular surface by comparing individual measures of pollution exposure to ophthalmologic examination and clinical tests.

Methods: : A panel study was carried out involving 47 volunteers in Argentina. G1: Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires (MABA) (n=12), G2: Ushuaia and Rio Grande cities (n=24) in South Patagonia and, G3: subjects that live in Los Glaciares National Park (n=11) in glaciers area of Patagonia. Each subject received an individual pollution passive monitoring device with filters for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and kept the monitor for 7 days. The mean daily pollution concentration was estimated by dividing the accumulated dose by 7. The methodology was contrasted with an HORIBA APNA-370 continuous ambient monitor. Subsequently, subjects underwent Schirmer I test, biomicroscopy, vital staining with fluorescein and rose Bengal, and tear break-up time (TBUT) measures. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and the Kruskal-Wallis test.

Results: : Individual level of NO2 exposition were 38.4±17.2 µg/m3, 21.6±13.5 µg/m3, 4.9±3.8 µg/m3 for G1, G2 and G3, respectively with a statistically significant difference among groups (p<0.001). TBUT levels were 7.0±1.9 sec, 10.7±4.0 sec, 15.9±4.2 sec for G1, G2 and G3, respectively with a statistically significant difference among groups (p=0.001). A clear dose-response pattern was detected between NO2 levels and TBUT, with a statistically significant regression value (p<0.001) and an estimated B-value of -0.490. There were no significant correlations between NO2 levels and Schirmer I values (means 28.3±12.3 mm, 24.8±11.7 and 25.7±12.4 in G1, G2 and G3, respectively), Rose Bengal and Fluorescein scores.

Conclusions: : This study suggests a clear negative correlation between air pollution and TBUT

Keywords: cornea: tears/tear film/dry eye • conjunctivitis • inflammation 
© 2009, The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc., all rights reserved. Permission to republish any abstract or part of an abstract in any form must be obtained in writing from the ARVO Office prior to publication.
Copyright © 2025 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.
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