Correlation between acute conjunctivitis and Asian dust on ocular surfaces. Issue 8 (17th April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ko, Ryota; Hayashi, Masahiko; Hayashi, Hideyuki; Hayashi, Kazue; Kato, Hitoshi; Kurata, Yoshinori; Fuchino, Yuki; Nakamichi, Toshifumi; Migita, Hironori; Yano, Hiroko; Sakata, Tetsuya; Uchio, Eiichi
• Is Part Of: Journal of toxicology and environmental health. Volume 79:Issue 8(2016)
• Page Start: 367
• Page End: 375
• Publication Date: 2016-04-17
• Subjects: Toxicology -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; 615.90205
• DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2016.1162248
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1528-7394

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to determine the presence of Asian dust particles (ADP) in patients suffering from conjunctivitis and its correlation with clinical scores for conjunctivitis. Forty-five patients from the Fukuoka area who were newly diagnosed acute conjunctivitis were selected. The degrees of inflammatory reaction, itchy sensation, hyperemia, eye discharge, and foreign body sensation were clinically recorded and scored. Eyes were washed with physiological solution. Solid particles collected from the washing solution were observed using a scanning electron microscope. Of the 45 samples, 44 were positive for the elements silicon (Si) and aluminum (Al), which are components of ambient Asian dust. Higher conjunctivitis scores were found in the subgroup in which the Asian dust/whole particle ratio was greater than average. This is the first apparent report on the correlation between amount of ADP exposure at the ocular surface and severity of ocular symptoms.