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Self‐reported eye symptoms and related diagnostic findings – comparison of risk factor profiles
Author(s) -
Brasche S.,
Bullinger M.,
Petrovitch A.,
Mayer E.,
Gebhardt H.,
Herzog V.,
Bischof W.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
indoor air
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.387
H-Index - 99
eISSN - 1600-0668
pISSN - 0905-6947
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0668.2005.00358.x
Subject(s) - percentile , medicine , risk factor , environmental health , logistic regression , protective factor , ophthalmology , statistics , mathematics
Profiles of factors affecting self-reported eye symptoms and objectively determined tear film characteristics have been examined and compared using data from 814 office workers. Multiple logistic regression analysis reveals significantly increased risks of subjective perception of eye symptoms for female gender, use of contact lenses and persons with health problems. A reduced break-up time (BUT) depends on personal criteria such as a history of eye disease and female gender. Age under 40 years, high relative humidity and formaldehyde exposure exceeding the 90th percentile are protective regarding BUT. For a thin lipid layer (as an indication of dry eyes) significantly increased risks are detected for high particle load, high endotoxin concentration and female gender. A thick lipid layer (as an indication of inflamed eyes) is significantly associated with a low educational level. The estimation of foam in the medial eye canthus seems to be unsuitable for evaluating indoor problems. The risk factor profiles agree on a few points only. The objectively examined thin lipid layer is the best eye-related indicator of the indoor environment. We therefore conclude that there is a need for the development and application of objective clinical methods for field monitoring in parallel with questioning.