The Frequency of Pterygium and Dry Eye in Chronic Cement Exposure: A Clinical Case-Control Study

Abstract

Iraq. 2 M.B.Ch.B/H.D.O, Ophthalmologist, Rizgari hospital, Ministry of health, Kurdistan, Iraq. ABSTRACT Introduction: Cement manufacturing has led to airborne pollution in the form of dust, gases, noise and vibration when operating machinery and during blasting in quarries, and damage to countryside from quarrying. In view of the health hazards, the present study was undertaken to find the prevalence of dry eye and pterygium among workers chronically exposed to air pollution in cement factory and thus to find out practicable protective measures to prevent external ocular surface problems among this group. Subjects and Methods: The present study comprised of total 260 subjects of which 188 subjects were enrolled from Sarchinar Cement factory (CF) and 72 controls from Sulaimaniya Company for prepared clothes (GF). The prevalence of eye problems were then compared between the subjects enrolled from two factories. Data so obtained was analyzed using the SPSS Version 17 and Chi square test was used for statistical analysis with p value ≤0.05 considered as significant value. Results: The prevalence of pterygium was 65%, dry eye 33% in study group and whereas among the control group, the prevalence of dry eye was 11% and pterygium 16.2%. Chronic Congestion was 100% in study group and 18.9% in control group with significant p-value (0.03). Conclusion: Higher prevalence of dry eye, pterygium and ocular surface irritation in the studied cases in comparison to the controls. Health surveillance programs are needed for the dust exposure in the cement factory to monitor risk areas and to identify employees with ocular and other health problems as early as possible.