Correlation between acute conjunctivitis and Asian dust on ocular surfaces

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.

Global Health Impacts of Dust Storms: A Systematic Review

“…Aili et al 91 reported that the risk of digestion outpatients and inpatients, gynecology outpatients, pediatrics outpatients and inpatients, and ENT outpatients and inpatients was increased during dust storms. Chan et al 135 also stated that dust storms were significantly associated with diabetes admissions for females. Furthermore, Ko et al 137 stated that dust storms can increase the risk of conjunctivitis.…”

Air Pollution Associated Dry Eye Disease May Be Increased by Qi Stagnation in Young: A Nested Case-Control Study in Liaoning, China

“…A score = [sum of the scores for all questions answered X 25] / total number of questions answered]. The scores indicate normal (scores 0-12), mild (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22), moderate (23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32), and severe (33-100) DED.…”

“…Meanwhile, a cross-sectional study in China suggested that nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), high-temperature, wind velocity and low-humidity increased the prevalence of DED, especially for women and old people [11]. Despite less than 10% of time spent outdoors for these people, air pollutants exposure may be undeniably hazardous for human ocular surface and conjunctivitis [11][12][13]. A mouse dry eye model showed PM 10 induced apoptosis by increasing TNF-α, NF-κB-p65 and NF-κB expressions in the cornea, and abnormal differentiation and proliferation of the ocular surface [14].…”

The impact of exposure to desert dust on infants’ symptoms and countermeasures to reduce the effects

“…[14][15][16][17][18] Similarly, it has been reported that Asian dust events are associated with an increased risk of mortality, [19][20][21][22][23] cardiovascular disease, [24][25][26] respiratory disease, [27][28][29][30][31] allergic symptoms, 32,33 and conjunctivitis. 34,35 We previously reported the adjuvant-like effects of desert dust in pollen-sensitized pregnant women, in whom an elevated risk of allergic symptoms was observed at low levels of desert dust. 32 However, several facets of desert dust exposure remain unknown, such as the effects on allergic symptoms in infants, which populations are vulnerable and susceptible, and how the effects can be reduced.…”

“…Some epidemiological studies have suggested that Sahara dust increases mortality and both respiratory and cardiovascular morbidity, and exacerbates asthma . Similarly, it has been reported that Asian dust events are associated with an increased risk of mortality, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, allergic symptoms, and conjunctivitis …”