The association of sun exposure, ultraviolet radiation effects and other risk factors for pterygium (the SURE RISK for pterygium study) in geographically diverse adult (≥40 years) rural populations of India -3rd report of the ICMR-EYE SEE study group

Abstract

Purpose To determine the prevalence and risk factors for pterygium in geographically diverse regions of India. Methods A population-based, cross-sectional multicentric study was conducted in adults aged ≥40 years in plains, hilly and coastal regions of India. All participants underwent a detailed questionnaire-based assessment for sun exposure, usage of sun protective measures, exposure to indoor smoke, and smoking. Detailed ocular and systemic examinations were performed. Pterygium was diagnosed and graded clinically by slit-lamp examination. Association of pterygium with sociodemographic, ophthalmological, and systemic parameters was assessed. Physical environmental parameters for the study period were estimated. Results Of the 12,021 eligible subjects, 9735 (81% response rate) participated in the study. The prevalence of pterygium in any eye was 13.2% (95% CI: 12.5%-13.9%), and bilateral pterygium was 6.7% (95% CI: 6.2–7.2). The prevalence increased with age (<0.001) irrespective of sex and was highest in those aged 60–69 years (15.8%). The prevalence was highest in coastal (20.3%), followed by plains (11.2%) and hilly regions (9.1%). On multi-logistic regression, pterygium was positively associated with coastal location (P<0.001), illiteracy (P = 0.037), increasing lifetime sun exposure (P<0.001), and negatively associated with BMI ≥25 kg/m2 (P = 0.009). Conclusion Pterygium prevalence is high in the rural Indian population. The association of pterygium with several potentially modifiable risk factors reflects its multifactorial etiology and provides targets for preventive measures.

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.…”

“…The observed social risk factors for education access and quality was limited to education achieved (educational level and literacy) [18 ▪▪ ,39 ▪▪ ]. This domain was explored for all of the cornea conditions.…”

Sliding limbus-conjunctival flaps for minimizing the pterygium recurrence: a prospective tertiary care institute study

“…Pterygium is a fibro-vascular growth of actinically damaged conjunctiva encroaching upon the cornea, across the limbus within the interpalpebral fissure, commonly on the nasal side [ 1 ]. A recent Indian study found positive associations of pterygium with the coastal location, illiteracy, and increasing lifetime sun exposure.…”

“…A recent Indian study found positive associations of pterygium with the coastal location, illiteracy, and increasing lifetime sun exposure. They found a negative association of pterygium with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 [ 1 ]. Pterygium presents as an oculofacial cosmetic blemish and, in large size, may lead to optical anomalies like astigmatism due to the distortion of corneal topography [ 2 ].…”

Corneal Astigmatism and Intraocular Lens Power Calculation before and after Pterygium Surgery

“…Pterygia has been linked to a number of risk factors, including geographic latitude, living in rural areas, aging, race, gender, sun exposure, chronic irritation, and inflammation. 2 After pterygium surgery, corneal irregularity is a crucial factor in preserving good visual acuity and function, and it takes time to restore the corneal surface [3] . According to Nejima et al 3 , a larger sized pterygium requires 6 to 12 months to stabilise corneal irregularity.…”