Role of conjunctival ultraviolet autofluorescence device, as an indicator of ocular ultraviolet radiation exposure in pterygium and pinguecula among outdoor workers in Southern India

Abstract

Background: Objective of the study was to evaluate conjunctival ultraviolet autofluorescence (CUVAF) device, as an indicator of ocular ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure in pterygium and pinguecula among outdoor workers.Methods: Subjects above 21 years of age engaged in outdoor work were enrolled based on inclusion criteria. A standardized questionnaire was administered to assess the lifetime UV exposure and erythemal UV dose were noted from the tropospheric emission monitoring internet service (TEMIS). Autofluorescence photographs of the nasal and temporal conjunctiva were taken using CUVAF tool and were assessed for presence of damage with exposure to UV radiation. Logistic regression was done to estimate the risk.Results: A total of 229 participants, among them 205 (89.5%) were males and 24 (10.4%) were females. This included 75 (32.7%) with pterygium in one or both eyes, 69 (30.3%) with pinguecula and 85 (37.1%) normal. Median conjunctival damage in pterygium was 45.3 mm2 (IQR 35.1), in pinguecula was 17.9 mm2 (IQR 16.0) and in normal was 11.1 mm2 (IQR 25.2) demonstrating significant difference between the groups (p<0.001). The conjunctival damage was positively associated with pterygium OR: 1.12 (95% CI: 1.05-1.71, p<0.001) and pinguecula OR: 1.10 (95% CI: 1.07-1.49, p=0.01). Rural location, literacy status were the significant risk factors for development of pterygium with odds of 2.97 (95% CI: 1.46-6.05, p=0.003) and 4.84 (95% CI: 1.86-12.73, p=0.001) respectively.Conclusions: Increasing conjunctival damage was found to be associated with prevalent pterygium.