Exposure to Ambient NO2 Increases the Risk of Dry Eye Syndrome in Females: An 11-Year Population-Based Study

Abstract

Previous studies have indicated that women suffer from dry eye syndrome (DES) more significantly than men. Therefore, we specifically explore the associations between air pollutant levels and the risks of DES for women. The study obtained 27,605 participants from the 29 recruitment centers of the Taiwan Biobank, which was established in October 2012. A large scale cross-sectional study involving DES sufferers and age- and education-matched control groups without DES was designed. Based on the municipality of residence, the predicted concentration levels of various air pollutants, including PM2.5, sulfur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were estimated by using hybrid kriging/ LUR model. Multiple logistic regressions were applied to estimate the prevalence ratios (PR) of DES and 95% confidence interval. Hormone supplementations, DBP, allergies, and arthritis were considered as important comorbidities for increased PR risk of DES. In addition, with each standard deviation (SD) increment of PM2.5 and temperature, women had significant increases in PRs of DES of 1.09- and 1.07-fold, respectively; conversely, each SD increment of relative humidity (RH) had a protective effect against the risk of DES. After considering hormone supplementation, arthritis, and allergy, the SD increment of NO2 and temperature were associated with the PRs of DES. In conclusion, significant associations of ambient NO2 concentration, RH and temperature with DES indicated the importance of increased environmental protection in the female population. Female exposure to high levels of NO2 when receiving hormone supplementation, or suffering with allergies or arthritis, had significantly increased risk of DES.

Impacts of air pollution and meteorological conditions on dry eye disease among residents in a northeastern Chinese metropolis: A six-year crossover study in a cold region

“…It was further reported that O 3 upregulated the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17 in tears and downregulated conjunctival goblet cell density in mouse models, leading to ocular surface discomfort and in ammation 30 . NO 2 exposure was positively correlated with DED outpatient visits 31 and increased risk of DED 32 . Higher NO 2 exposure was negatively correlated with tear secretion and TBUT and positively correlated with increased IL-6 and IL-8 expression in tears and aggravated MG dysfunction 17,19,31,33 .…”

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.…”

Exposure to ambient gaseous pollutant and daily hospitalizations for Sjögren’s syndrome in Hefei: A time-series study

“…Severe dryness of the mucosal surface in eyes and oral cavity were the primary clinical manifestation among SS patients, and the patients with SS who were exposed to air pollution was associated with more severe abnormalities of the ocular surface and eye irritation ( 22 ). In addition, environmental NO 2 concentration was proved to be associated with dry eye syndrome ( 23 ). This might support our results that exposure to NO 2 was associated with an increased risk of daily hospitalizations for SS.…”