Associations between Biomarkers of Metal Exposure and Dry Eye Metrics in Shipyard Welders: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Shipyard welders are often exposed to welding metal fumes. Ocular surfaces are continually exposed to environmental hazards. However, limited information on the associations between metal exposure and dry eye metrics in occupational settings is available. This study employed a cross-sectional design that involved the participation of 59 welders and 25 administrative staff in a shipyard in northern Taiwan from September 2020 to October 2020. The participants’ individual information, laboratory data, exposure to particulate matter < 2.5 μm, urinary, and toenail metal concentrations were collected. Dry eye metrics were evaluated using standardized questionnaires and a noninvasive ocular surface analyzer. Urinary V and Cr and toenail V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn, As, and Cd and Pb were significantly higher in the exposed group than in the control group. After adjustment for confounding factors, dry eye metrics were associated with urinary Cd (β = 0.407; p = 0.007) and toenail Pb (β = 0.482; p = 0.002). The participants with higher urinary Cd exhibited higher odds ratios for elevated dry eye metrics. Our study revealed that exposure to welding procedures increases several metal biomarkers. In addition, urinary Cd, and toenail Pb might be related to dry eye disease in shipyard welders.

Current social determinants of health and social risk factors in conditions of the cornea: a scoping review

“…All included articles and the identified SDoH in each study are summarized in Table 1. Dry eye/ocular surface [18 ▪▪ ,19 ▪ –38 ▪ ] (21 articles) was the most prevalent cornea condition, followed by pterygium [39 ▪▪ ,40 ▪ –42 ▪ ] (4 articles), keratoplasty [43 ▪▪ ,44–46] (four articles), keratoconus [47 ▪ ,48,49] (three articles), cornea donation [50,51 ▪▪ ,52 ▪▪ ] (three articles), cornea thickness [53 ▪ ,54 ▪ ] (two articles), trachoma [55 ▪▪ ,56] (two articles), corneal ulcers [57 ▪ ,58 ▪ ] (two articles), corneal arcus [59 ▪ ] (one article), and corneal opacity[60 ▪ ] (one article). Cornea donation for transplantation was also explored.…”

Impact of Microplastics on the Ocular Surface

“…Heavy metals have been also shown to be associated with dry eye disease. A large population study in Korea demonstrated an association between the detection of serum mercury and development of dry eye disease among females, while a cross-sectional study of welders in Taiwan reported associations between high levels of urinary cadmium and toenail lead concentrations, and dry eye disease [ 81 , 82 ].…”

Toxic External Exposure Leading to Ocular Surface Injury

“…They attribute the vulnerability of metal workers to dry eye disease to their exposure to dust and chemicals. In a cross-sectional study of welders in Turkey, exposure to cadmium and lead were correlated with dry eye disease [ 173 ]. Chen et al also found lead exposure and presence of lead in tears to be associated with dry eye disease [ 174 ].…”