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Pterygium and conjunctival ultraviolet autofluorescence in young A ustralian adults: the R aine study
Author(s) -
McKnight Charlotte M,
Sherwin Justin C,
Yazar Seyhan,
Forward Hannah,
Tan Alex X,
Hewitt Alex W,
Smith Elliot,
Turton David,
Byrd Pippa,
Pennell Craig E,
Coroneo Minas T,
Mackey David A
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
clinical and experimental ophthalmology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.3
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1442-9071
pISSN - 1442-6404
DOI - 10.1111/ceo.12455
Subject(s) - autofluorescence , pterygium , medicine , interquartile range , ophthalmology , confidence interval , odds ratio , surgery , pathology , physics , quantum mechanics , fluorescence
Background Sun exposure is associated with several ophthalmic diseases, including pterygium which may develop in adolescence. This study reports the prevalence of pterygium and its associations in a large cohort of young A ustralian adults. Conjunctival ultraviolet autofluorescence, a biomarker of ocular sun exposure, has recently been characterized in some A ustralian populations. Design Cross‐sectional population‐based study. Participants One thousand three hundred forty‐four subjects aged 18–22 years in the W estern A ustralian P regnancy C ohort ( R aine) S tudy. Methods Standardized colour and ultraviolet autofluorescence photographs of the nasal and temporal conjunctiva were taken, and assessed for presence of pterygium and area of autofluorescence. Sun exposure and protective factors were assessed by structured questionnaire. Main Outcome Measures Area of conjunctival ultraviolet autofluorescence in square millimetre (mm 2 ) and presence of pterygium. Results Median total conjunctival autofluorescence was 44.2 mm 2 (interquartile range 20.2–69.8 mm 2 ). Median conjunctival autofluorescence was higher in nasal than in temporal quadrants (23.8 mm 2 vs . 18.9 mm 2 , P < 0.001), but did not differ according to age or gender. Higher body mass index was associated with lower levels of autofluorescence. Total autofluorescence increased with increasing time spent outdoors. Prevalence of pterygium was 1.2% (95% confidence interval 0.6–1.8%), and was associated with male gender (odds ratio 6.71, P = 0.012). Participants with pterygium had significantly more conjunctival autofluorescence than those without (median 73.4 mm 2 vs . 44.0 mm 2 , P = 0.001). Conclusions Conjunctival ultraviolet autofluorescence is associated with increased time spent outdoors, and increased prevalence of pterygium. The association of this biomarker with other ophthalmohelioses, including cataract, ocular surface squamous neoplasia and eyelid malignancy, has yet to be determined.