Srinivas Marmamula1, Rohit C Khanna, Gullapalli N Rao. 1. Allen Foster Community Eye Health Research Centre, International Centre for Advancement of Rural Eye Care, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India. srioptom@lvpei.org
Abstract
PURPOSE: To describe the prevalence and risk factors for pterygium in a population-based sample of individuals aged 30 years and older in South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in one urban and three rural locations in which 10,293 subjects were examined. All the subjects underwent comprehensive eye examination and a detailed interview by trained professionals. Pterygium was defined as fleshy fibro vascular growth, crossing the limbus, and typically seen on the nasal conjunctiva in either eye. RESULTS: Data were analyzed for 5586 subjects who were aged 30 years and older at the time of participation. The mean age of the participants was 47.5 years (SD 13 years; range 30-102 years). In total, 46.4% were male, 56.7% had no education, 52.2% of them were involved in outdoor occupations, and 25% belonged to urban area. The prevalence of pterygium was 11.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.9-12.6). The multiple logistic regression analysis revealed significantly higher odds of pterygium among older age groups, rural residents (odds ratio [OR]: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.4-2.4; P > 0.01), and those involved in outdoor occupations (OR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.5-2.2, P < 0.001). Education had a protective effect (OR: 0.6; 95% CI: 0.5-0.7; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Pterygium is common in the South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Exposure to sunlight is a significant modifiable risk factor. Protecting the eyes from sunlight may decrease the risk of pterygium. However, the important public health challenge is to encourage the use of this protection as a routine in developing countries such as India.
PURPOSE: To describe the prevalence and risk factors for pterygium in a population-based sample of individuals aged 30 years and older in South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in one urban and three rural locations in which 10,293 subjects were examined. All the subjects underwent comprehensive eye examination and a detailed interview by trained professionals. Pterygium was defined as fleshy fibro vascular growth, crossing the limbus, and typically seen on the nasal conjunctiva in either eye. RESULTS: Data were analyzed for 5586 subjects who were aged 30 years and older at the time of participation. The mean age of the participants was 47.5 years (SD 13 years; range 30-102 years). In total, 46.4% were male, 56.7% had no education, 52.2% of them were involved in outdoor occupations, and 25% belonged to urban area. The prevalence of pterygium was 11.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.9-12.6). The multiple logistic regression analysis revealed significantly higher odds of pterygium among older age groups, rural residents (odds ratio [OR]: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.4-2.4; P > 0.01), and those involved in outdoor occupations (OR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.5-2.2, P < 0.001). Education had a protective effect (OR: 0.6; 95% CI: 0.5-0.7; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Pterygium is common in the South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Exposure to sunlight is a significant modifiable risk factor. Protecting the eyes from sunlight may decrease the risk of pterygium. However, the important public health challenge is to encourage the use of this protection as a routine in developing countries such as India.
Authors: Stephen Gichuhi; Ephantus Macharia; Joy Kabiru; Alain M'bongo Zindamoyen; Hilary Rono; Ernest Ollando; Leonard Wanyonyi; Joseph Wachira; Rhoda Munene; Timothy Onyuma; Mandeep S Sagoo; Helen A Weiss; Matthew J Burton Journal: JAMA Ophthalmol Date: 2015-11 Impact factor: 7.389
Authors: Emmanuel Kwasi Abu; Samuel Bert Boadi-Kusi; Prince Quarcoo Opuni; Samuel Kyei; Andrew Owusu-Ansah; Charles Darko-Takyi Journal: J Ophthalmic Vis Res Date: 2016 Jan-Mar