Relationship Between Contact Lens and Pinguecula.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of contact lens (CL) on the frequency of pinguecula, and the relationship between dry eye disease and pinguecula. METHODS: Two hundred and 33 cases of soft CL wearers and 230 age-matched nonwearers were enrolled in the study. Schirmer I test (ST) scores and tear break-up time (TBUT) were determined in all participants. A questionnaire including ocular surface disease index (OSDI), age, sex, and duration of CL wear was implemented to the participants before the examination. RESULTS: The prevalence of pinguecula was 27.8% (n: 65) in the CL group and 26.5% (n: 61) in the control group. There was no significant difference between the groups (P=0.841). The prevalence of pinguecula increased with age in both groups. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of pinguecula when users were divided into three groups according to the duration of CL wear (P=0.575). The TBUT scores were lower, and the OSDI scores were higher in the CL group. The TBUT scores were lower in patients with pinguecula in both groups. The OSDI scores were higher in the CL group. There was no significant difference regarding the OSDI scores between patients with pinguecula and healthy participants in the CL group; however, OSDI scores were significantly higher in patients with pinguecula in control group. There were no significant differences in the ST scores between the groups, and between patients with pinguecula and healthy participants. CONCLUSION: This is the second study that evaluates the effects of soft CL wearing on pinguecula prevalence. We found that CL wearing does not affect the prevalence of pinguecula. Considering the OSDI scores in patients with pinguecula in the CL group, CL may suppress the irritant symptoms of pinguecula.

Prevalence and associated factors of pinguecula in a rural population in Shanghai, Eastern China.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence and associated factors of pinguecula in a rural Chinese population aged ≥ 50 years in Eastern China. METHODS: This cross-sectional, population-based survey included an age-stratified random sample of 1108 residents living in Lvxiang Town of Jinshan District. Participants were requested to complete a comprehensive questionnaire to collect demographic data, history of systemic diseases and lifestyle details. The presence of pinguecula on slit lamp examination was recorded. The prevalence of pinguecula and its associated factors were investigated by logistic regression models. RESULTS: Among 1108 eligible subjects, 959 participated in the study, with an average age of 65.1 ± 9.2 years (range 50-89 years). The overall age-adjusted prevalence of pinguecula in this population was 75.57% (95% confidence interval 71.79-79.35%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that age (p = 0.002) and working outdoors (daily sunlight exposure ≥ 2 hours; p = 0.001) were independent risk factors for pinguecula. In addition, sex, education level, alcohol intake, smoking and decreased tear break-up time did not have associations with the development of pinguecula after adjusting for age and outdoor work occupations. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of pinguecula was 75.57% in this Chinese population aged ≥ 50 years from a coastal rural area of Shanghai, Eastern China, which was higher than the majority of previous findings. Age and working outdoors were independent risk factors for pinguecula.

Pinguecula and diabetes mellitus.

PURPOSE: To assess the relationship between age and the incidence and severity of pinguecula in patients with diabetes mellitus, and to compare the grade of pinguecula between control subjects and patients with diabetes. METHODS: A total of 160 patients with type 2 diabetes aged 31 to 70 years (DM group) and 160 control subjects aged 31 to 70 years (control group) were enrolled. The grade of pinguecula at 2 locations (nasal and temporal) was assessed in all subjects by a grading system. RESULTS: There was an age-related increase in the grade of pinguecula in both the DMgroup (r = 0.52; P < 0.0001) and the control group (r = 0.51; P < 0.0001). The grade and prevalence of pinguecula were higher in the DM group than in the control group for pinguecula of the nasal conjunctiva (grade: P < 0.0001; and prevalence: 55.0% vs. 40.0%, P = 0.0072) and the temporal conjunctiva (grade: P < 0.0001; and prevalence: 54.4% vs. 40.0%, P = 0.0100). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age and diabetes were associated with an increased prevalence of nasal or temporal pinguecula (all P < 0.05). Diabetes mellitus was independently associated with the severity of pinguecula (nasal: odds ratio = 1.19; temporal: odds ratio = 1.22) after adjustment for age. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first assessment of the relationship between pinguecula and diabetes mellitus. Our results suggest that diabetes mellitus may be a factor associated with the development of pinguecula.

Conjunctivochalasis: associations with pinguecula in a hospital-based study.

PURPOSE: To assess the relationship between the prevalence and severity of conjunctivochalasis and pinguecula. METHODS: Cross-sectional, consecutive case study conducted at the university hospital of University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine. A total of 1061 patients aged from 1 to 94 years were enrolled. The grade and other parameters of conjunctivochalasis (classified into three locations: nasal, middle and temporal) and the grade of pinguecula located on the nasal or temporal conjunctiva were determined in all subjects. Patients were also divided into 5 or 10 age groups. RESULTS: The severity of conjunctivochalasis affecting the nasal and temporal bulbar conjunctiva was significantly correlated with the grade of pinguecula located on the nasal and temporal conjunctiva in each age group (p < 0.05). Pinguecula was independently associated with conjunctivochalasis (nasal: odds ratio [OR] = 1.44; temporal: OR = 1.43) after adjustment for age. CONCLUSION: This was the first assessment of the relation between the grade of conjunctivochalasis and pinguecula in a large consecutive series of patients. Our results suggest that the prevalence and severity of conjunctivochalasis are related to the presence of pinguecula.

The prevalence and determinants of pterygium and pinguecula in an urban population in Shahroud, Iran.

While pterygium is considered a common eye disorder, the etiology and pathogenesis is still not known. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of pterygium and pinguecula in the over 40 population of Shahroud and assess associated factors. The present study is part of the phase one of the Shahroud Eye Cohort Study conducted in 2009, in which the target population was people between 40 and 64 years of age. Ophthalmic examinations were performed by two ophthalmologists who made the diagnosis of pterygium and pinguecula. We used Chi-square tests, analysis of variance, and multiple logistic regression tests to examine associations. Of the 6311 invitees, 5190 people participated in the study (response rate: 82.2%). The prevalence of pterygium in at least one eye was 9.4% (95% CI, 8.6-10.3), while 2.9% (95%CI, 2.4-3.3) had bilateral pterygium. The prevalence was significantly higher in men (11.4% vs. 8.0%), and remained relatively constant with age, while the prevalence in women significantly increased with age. The prevalence of pinguecula was 61.0% (95%CI, 59.1-62.9) in at least one eye, and 49.0% (95%CI, 47.1-50.9) in both eyes. The age difference between those with and without pinguecula was significant and the prevalence was significantly higher among men than women (70.6% vs. 53.8%). The prevalence of pterygium in our study was lower than reported rates in the world but higher than Tehran and was significantly associated with age, gender, working outdoors, and the level of education. The prevalence of unilateral and bilateral pinguecula falls in the mid range and was significantly associated with age, male gender, smoking, working outdoors, and level of education.

Prevalence and associated factors for pterygium and pinguecula in a South Indian population.

PURPOSE: To describe the prevalence and factors associated with pterygium and pinguecula in a south Indian population. METHODS: The Chennai Glaucoma Study examined 7774 (Urban 3850, Rural 3924) subjects aged above 40 years. All subjects underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation. Personal history, occupation and lifetime ultraviolet exposure were documented. The presence of pterygium and pinguecula on slit-lamp examination was recorded. The prevalence of pterygium and pinguecula, differences in the rural and urban populations and their association with age, gender, residence, nature of occupation, lifetime ultraviolet radiation exposure, tobacco use (smoking/smokeless), alcohol use, diabetes mellitus and hypertension were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 54.6 (SD: 10.6) years. Pterygium was present in either eye of 740 subjects (9.5%, 95% CI: 8.6-10.4%), of which 329 subjects were male and 411 subjects were female. The prevalence of pterygium differed significantly (OR: 4.60 95% CI: 3.82-5.56, p < 0.0001) between the urban (144, 3.7%, 95% CI: 3.1-4.3%) and the rural population (596, 15.2%, 95% CI: 14.1-16.3%). Pinguecula was present in either eye of 875 subjects (11.3%, 95% CI: 10.5-12.0%), of which 368 subjects were male and 507 subjects were female. The prevalence of pinguecula differed significantly (OR: 2.94, 95% CI: 2.51-3.43, p < 0.0001) between the urban (238, 6.2%, 95% CI: 5.4-6.9%) and the rural population (637, 16.2%, 95% CI: 15.1-17.4%). Pinguecula and pterygium were significantly associated with rural residence (p < 0.0001). We found rural residence and exposure to higher lifetime UV exposure to be significantly associated with the presence of pterygium (p < 0.0001). Non-use of spectacles was found to be associated with both pterygium (OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.12-1.79) and pinguecula (OR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.38-2.08). The presence of pterygium and pinguecula was not associated with smoking, use of alcohol, nature of work, diabetes and hypertension. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of pterygium and pinguecula a South Indian population were 9.5% and 11.3% respectively. Rural residence were associated with presence of both pterygium and pinguecula. Higher lifetime UV exposure was associated with the presence of pterygia.

Prevalencia de pterigio, pingüecula hiperplasia conjuntival entre trabajadores de una empresa cementera de Bogotá / Prevalence of pterygia, pingueculae, and conjuntival hiperplasia among cement workers from Bogotá

Un estudio exploratorio retrospectivo fue realizado con 195 trabajadores de una empresa cementera, con el fin de explorar la asociación entre la exposición a polvo de cemento y la ocurrencia de pterigio, pingûecula e hiperplasia conjuntival. En 1998 una optómetra realizó los exámenes físicos, encontrando que las prevalencias de alteraciones conjuntivales en la población estudiada fueron: 37,4 % para la pingûecula, 23,6 % para la hiperplasia conjuntival y 19 % para el pterigio. Los trabajadores fueron clasificados en tres grupos según los niveles de exposición encontrados en la inspección del lugar de trabajo realizado por un especialista en salud ocupacional. Los resultados de la comparación de estos grupos sugieren una asociación entre la exposición a polvo de cemento y el pterigio (RPa: 9,8; IC95%: 1,4-68,8). Se plantea la necesidad de realizar nuevos estudios para mejorar el conocimiento de la etiología de las alteraciones conjuntivales, así como realizar los cambios en el ambiente laboral e implementar el uso de elementos de protección ocular.(AU)

A retrospective exploratory study was realized with 195 cement workers to explore the association between cement dust exposure and the occurrence of pterygia, pingueculae, and conjuntival hiperplasia. An optometrist examined the population in the enterprise during 1998. The prevalences of conjuntival alterations were: pingueculae 37,4 %, conjuntival hiperplasia 23,6 %, and pterygia 19 %. The workers were classified in three groups according to exposure levels determined by an occupational health specialist. The findings of the group comparison suggest an association between cement dust exposure and pterygia (PRa: 9,8; IC95 %: 1,4-68,8). New studies are required to improve the knowledge about the etiology of conjuntival alterations. Changes in the occupational environment and personal protective elements are recommended to guarantee ocular health.(AU)