Eye Itching Research Articles

Visual Function Abnormality Among Light-on Test Workers in TFT-LCD Industries: A 3-year Longitudinal Study

PP-30-199 Background/Aims: To ensure the display of quality of liquid crystal display (LCD) panels, the light-on test workers should look at screens and are exposed to flickering in clean rooms for long working hours. The aim of this study was to evaluate the visual influence among the light-on test operators. Methods: In 2005, we conducted a cross-sectional study to collect the results of annual ophthalmic survey of light-on test workers of a thin film transistor LCDcompany in southern Taiwan. In addition, all the participants fulfill a questionnaire about ophthalmic symptoms. The questionnaire included demographic data, previous eye disease, and self-reported ophthalmic symptoms. The 51 light-on test workers who received the same examination in 2001 and 2004 were recruited as longitudinal study population. We calculated the prevalence of eye discomfort syndrome and compared the abnormality rate of ophthalmic test between 2001 and 2004. Results: The overall prevalence of eye discomfort was 66.1% among the light-on test workers. The major self-reported eye discomfort symptoms were eye dryness, eye itching, and red eyes. The prevalence of blurred vision at near distance, double vision, and increase discharge were significantly higher in LCD light-on test stations than in LCM light-on test stations. Ophthalmic test showed there were 174 workers (16.9%) had tear secretion dysfunction and 13.6% of subjects had visual discrimination dysfunction. The visual discrimination dysfunction was significantly higher in LCM Light-on test stations than in LCD light-on test stations. In addition, contact lens use was a potential predictor for chronic conjunctivitis. The results of 3-year longitudinal study showed the employment duration, and wearing contact lens during work; work stations did not relate to the abnormality of visual function among 51 light-on test workers. Conclusion: The 3-year follow up results showed no influence on the visual function, and further follow-up to evaluate the long-term health effects of the light-on test is necessary.

The Prevalence Rates of Reported SBS Symptom and Gender: A Case Study in a Middle School

PP-29-148 Background/Aims: To describe the gender difference on the reported SBS symptom in a middle school case study. Methods: All students in Grade 1 and Grade 2 were selected in middle school A, Beijing. The SBS symptoms in past 1 year and in past 1 week were reported by the self-filling questionnaire. Finally, 385 students finished. Of them, 50.9% were boys and 49.1% were girls. A total of 165 students in Grade 1 finished reporting on 6 main SBS symptoms at exactly same point in 3 successive days in spring, summer, and winter. Database was established with Epidata 3.0. Logistic regression and fitted hybrid linear model provided by SPSS/PC13.0 were used. Results: Reported prevalence rates of SBS symptom both in past 1 year and past 1 week were closely related to the gender. After controlling other factors, reported prevalence rates of fatigue, eye itch or dry, overall SBS symptoms for girls in the last year were 1.851 times (OR = 1.851, P = 0.007), 1.672 times (OR = 1.672, P = 0.055), 1.600 times (OR = 1.600, P = 0.070) of those for boys, respectively; and the reported prevalence rates of fatigue, headache for girl in the last week were 1.871 times (OR = 1.871, P = 0.007), 1.685 times (OR = 1.685, P = 0.089)of those for boys, respectively. These results were similar to investigations on foreign adults' SBS symptoms. Fitted hybrid linear model analysis on repeated measure in different seasons indicated that gender was one of the impact factors related to the reported strength of SBS symptoms. After controlling other factors, the reported strength of eye itch or dry, concentration difficult, throat sore or dry, stuffy nose, overall SBS symptoms for boys were higher than those for girls, which were not seen any report before. Conclusion: Gender was related to SBS symptoms. Girls more likely suffered higher reported rates on SBS symptoms, while boys more likely suffered higher reported strength on SBS symptoms. All these indicated that girls had higher reported rates with lower strength threshold, while boys had lower reported rates with higher strength threshold.

Two Cases of Human Thelaziasis and Brief Review of Korean cases

The present study was performed to describe 2 cases of human thelaziasis (HT) which occurred in Gyeongsangnam- do and to briefly review the previously reported Korean cases. A 58-year old woman, residing in Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, came to Gyeongsang National University Hospital (GNUH) complaining of foreign body sensation and itching of the right eye in March 2000. Total 6 adult nematodes of Thelazia callipaeda (2 males and 4 females) were detected in her right eye. A 80-year old man, residing in Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, came to GNUH complaining of foreign body sensation, itching, and pain of the right eye in December 2007. A total of 5 worms (4 females and 1 degenerated) were removed from his right eye. We analyzed characteristics of the total 39 Korean HT cases reported to date, including the present 2 cases. Most of the cases (71.8%) occurred in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do before 2000, and 21 cases (53.8%) were males and 18 (46.2%) were females. The prevalence was higher in younger ages below 30 years (48.7%) than 31-60 years (41.0%) and over 61 years (10.3%). The seasonal prevalence showed a higher incidence in autumn (43.6%) than in other seasons. Most of the cases (94.9%) were conjunctival sac infections and only 2 (5.1%) were intraocular cases. The present 2 HT cases are the first reported cases in Gyeongsangnam-do. Some characteristics of Korean HT cases were analyzed.

Efficacy of oral olopatadine hydrochloride for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Adequate treatment is critical for maintaining a good level of quality of life (QOL) during the pollen season in patients suffering from seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR). Olopatadine, a histamine H(1)-receptor antagonist, has been approved in the United States and Europe for the treatment of AR and allergic conjunctivitis as a nasal spray and an ophthalmic solution, respectively. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to determine whether orally administered olopatadine for prophylactic purposes might also be effective for the control of nasal allergy symptoms, especially nasal congestion, in patients with SAR due to Japanese cedar pollen (SAR-JP). A total of 110 patients with SAR caused by JP were randomized to the treatment. The subjects recorded their nasal and ocular allergic symptom scores in a diary, and their QOL was assessed by the Japanese version of the Rhinoconjunctivity Quality of Life Questionnaire. Treatment with oral olopatadine significantly suppressed sneezing (p < 0.001), rhinorrhea (p < 0.001), and nasal congestion (p < 0.05). The total QOL score during the peak JP season was superior in the olopatadine group than in the placebo group (p < 0.05). However, orally administered olopatadine did not exert any significant effect against eye itching and watering of the eyes, unlike olopatadine nasal spray. Treatment with olopatadine tablets yielded superior QOL scores in the domains of usual daily activities and outdoor activities when compared with placebo. No serious adverse effects of the treatment were reported during the study period. These results suggest that oral olopatadine treatment may be a useful alternative treatment strategy for AR.

Relation between Cooling Sheet Effect and Tear Histamine Concenration in Allergic Conjunctivitis

Six allergic conjunctivitis patients (12 eyes) and 4 healthy volunteers (8 eyes) were investigated in terms of the effect of cooling sheets on eye itching and tear histamine concentration, before and 5 min after cooling the eyelids with cooling sheets. The severity of itching was evaluated with a five-level itching score. The combination treatment of levocabastine with cooling sheets significantly reduced eye itching, while no significant change in tear histamine concentration was observed before and after cooling sheet use. The cooling sheets are useful for reducing eye itching in the therapy of allergic conjunctivitis. The tear histamine concentration did not correlate with the antiitching effect of cooling sheets in this study.

Efficacy of protein-free calf blood extract for mechanical corneal epithelial defects in human eyes

To evaluate the clinical efficacy between protein-free calf blood extract eye drops and recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) eye drops for mechanical corneal epithelial defects in human eyes. A multi-center, randomized and double-blind study with a parallel, positive-control designation was carried out from April to November in 2005 at Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Ear Nose and Throat Hospital of Fudan University, Xinhua Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University, the First Hospital of Zhejiang University, the Second Hospital of Zhejiang University and Qingdao Municipal Hospital. 240 patients (240 eyes) with confirmed diagnosis of corneal epithelial defects at that six hospitals were enrolled in this study and were randomly arranged into two groups in average. One group (120 eyes) were treated by 20% protein-free calf blood extract eye drops which was defined as the experimental group while the other (120 eyes) by 5000 IU/ml recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) eye drops as the positive control group. The drug was delivered in both groups 4 times per day, one drop each time in the 14 days duration. The symptoms and signs were scored and the safety was evaluated on the pre-delivery day, the third post-delivery day (day 3), day 7 and day 14. The variants in the study were tested for the different efficacy and safety between the two drugs using non-inferiority test, paired t-test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, chi-square test, continuity correction chi-square test, Fisher's exact probabilities, analysis of variance, Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel chi-square test and so on. The criterion for statistical significance was P < 0.05. There was no significant difference in efficacy between the protein-free calf blood extract group and the recombinant human epidermal growth factor group (day 3: X2 = 1.5677, P = 0.4566, day 7: X2 = 1.7152, P = 0.4242, day 14: X2 = 3.0814, P = 0.2142). The total scores of symptoms and signs in experimental group had a obvious descending (6.009 +/- 3.030) compared with the positive control group with a descending of (5.177 +/- 2.582), which reached the significant level (t = 2.2367, P = 0.0263). Ocular local stimulates and general side effect were not observed within the treatment course. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the comparison of pre- and post-therapy visual acuity. The difference was not significant when comparing the uncomfortable feelings, including eye burning and eye itching (eye burning: day 3: X2 = 0.4394, P = 0.932, day 7: X2 = 1.4710, P = 0.479,day 14: X2 = 2.1875, P= 0.335, and eye itching: day 3: X2 = 2.1045, P = 0.349, day 7: X2 = 2.0192, P = 0.364, day 14: X2= 0.6863, P = 0.407). And the positive control group gave priority to the experimental group in comfortability. A better comfortableness was reported in the protein-free calf blood extract group on the third day post-delivery (X2 = 6.626, P = 0.0100). However, no obvious difference was examined on day 7 and day 14 post-delivery. Protein-free calf blood extract eye drops has confirmed efficacy, good safety, quick effect and better comfortableness.

Intranasal Mometasone Furoate Alleviates the Ocular Symptoms Associated with Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis: Results of a Post Hoc Analysis

Background: Burdensome symptoms of allergic rhinitis (AR) include nasal and ocular symptoms such as itching, tearing and redness. Intranasal corticosteroids are efficacious in the treatment of nasal symptoms of AR. Objective: It was the aim of this study to determine the efficacy of the intranasal corticosteroid mometasone furoate nasal spray (MFNS) in relieving ocular symptoms associated with seasonal AR (SAR). Methods: Ocular symptom data were analyzed for subjects ≧12 years of age, randomized to MFNS 200 µg q.d. (n = 176) or placebo (n = 177) in a placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. Post hoc efficacy analysis assessed the mean change from baseline in subject-reported total ocular symptom scores (TOSS) averaged over the treatment period. Results: Mean baseline TOSS was 4.91 for the MFNS group and comparable (5.05) for the placebo group – combined average for individual symptoms such as itching, tearing and redness ranged from 0 (no symptoms) to 9 (all symptoms, severe). Mean change from baseline in TOSS averaged over days 1–15 was –1.42 for the MFNS group and –0.94 for the placebo group (p = 0.02), for an observed treatment difference of 0.49 (statistical data rounded to 2 decimal positions). Improvement in individual symptoms (eye itching, tearing and redness) contributed to this treatment effect; the greatest improvement occurred with tearing, which decreased –0.52 from the baseline score 1.59 in the MFNS group and –0.31 from 1.67 in those receiving placebo (p < 0.01), for an observed treatment difference of 0.21. Treatment with MFNS was safe and well tolerated. Conclusion: MFNS is effective in reducing ocular symptoms of SAR, in addition to its established efficacy in reducing nasal symptoms of SAR.

Tacrolimus Ointment 0.03% in the Eye for Treatment of Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis

To report a case of refractory giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) treated by using topical tacrolimus 0.03% ointment. A 16-year-old white boy with a history of GPC was referred to our department for severe GPC with eye itching, tearing, photophobia, discharge, and blepharospasm. The patient had received previous treatments with antihistamines, mast cell stabilizers, topical corticosteroid ointments, and surgical resection-cryopexy of GPC that were ineffective. Topical tacrolimus 0.03% ointment (Protopic; 0.5 cm) was applied into the lower fornix twice a day. An improvement of the patient's symptoms was observed during the first 5 days of therapy, and the GPC was resolved within 15 days. After 1 month of continued topical tacrolimus ointment treatment, there was no evidence of GPC. Topical tacrolimus was tapered during the next 2 months. Six months after treatment, there were no GPC findings, and no side effects were reported. Topical tacrolimus 0.03% ointment for severe GPC, refractory to conventional therapy, appears to be an effective alternative treatment.

Sinais e sintomas relacionados à baixa acuidade visual em escolares do nordeste do Rio Grande do Sul

O objetivo do estudo foi associar os principais sinais e sintomas oculares da infância com a baixa acuidade visual em escolares do nordeste do Rio Grande do Sul. Durante o Projeto Saúde é Cidadania/Ação Comunitária, do período de março a setembro de 2006, foi realizado com 338 escolares de quatro a 15 anos, os quais chegaram ao serviço de forma livre e espontânea o teste de acuidade visual com a tabela de Snellen e um questionário indagando: a presença de dificuldade para ver o quadro; cefaléia; dor; vermelhidão ou prurido ocular. Foi considerado parâmetro para a baixa acuidade visual aquela menor ou igual a 20/20 em ambos os olhos. A estatística foi realizada pelo teste do qui-quadrado e o cálculo da sensibilidade (s), especificidade (e), valor preditivo positivo (vpp) e likelihood ratio + (lr+). Foi estatisticamente significativa a relação entre a baixa acuidade visual com a dificuldade para enxergar o quadro na escola (p&lt;0,001, s=26%, e=93%, vpp=51%, lr+=3,7) e com a dor ocular (p=0,002, s=23%, e= 90%, vpp=38%, lr+=2,3). Não foi estatisticamente significativa a relação entre a baixa acuidade visual e a cefaléia (p=0,3, s=26%, e=79%, vpp=24%, lr+=1,2), prurido ocular (p=0,06, s=26%, e=83%, vpp=28%, lr+=1,5) e vermelhidão ocular (p=0,8, s=11%, e=88%, vpp=21%, lr+=0,9). A relação da presença de pelo menos uma dessas queixas com a baixa acuidade visual foi significativa (p=0,004, s=58%, e=60%, vpp=27%, lr+=1,4). Crianças em idade escolar com dificuldade em enxergar o quadro ou dor ocular têm uma probabilidade maior de possuírem baixa acuidade visual, enquanto crianças com cefaléia, vermelhidão ou prurido ocular não fazem parte dessa associação.

A double blind, placebo-controlled cross over trial of cellulose powder by nasal provocation with Der p1 and Der f1

ABSTRACTObjective: The purpose of this study was to assess whether inert cellulose powder would reduce the response to nasal challenge with house dust mite antigens. The study aimed to investigate the efficacy of inert cellulose powder applied to the nose for the control of persistent allergic rhinitis in adults due to house dust mite allergy. The powder has been registered as a medical device since 1994 and is available in many countries as a remedy for hay fever. Anecdotal evidence reported that it reduced symptoms of persistent rhinitis but no scientific evidence exists for this.Research design and methods: A double blind, placebo-controlled cross over trial was conducted on 15 adult persistent rhinitis sufferers (diagnosed positive to Der p1 and/or Der f1 by SPT) and who had symptoms over the previous 2 years. The placebo was lactose powder. Challenge was by measured dose of homogenised allergenic dust. The study took place in the spring of 2006 before the main pollen seasons.Main outcome measures: The primary outcome measures were observed severity scores for 3 symptom categories and the amount of ECP in nasal secretions. The secondary outcome measures were symptom scores by subject report (nasal blockage, itching of nose, throat and eyes), nasal peak inspiratory (PIFn) and expiratory flow (PEFn).Results: The results show significant differences for sneezing, itchy nose, runny nose and ECPs in nasal secretions. Some results are also significantly different between placebo and active for PIFn and for PEFn (all at p = 0.05). There were no adverse reactions.Conclusions: The inert cellulose powder can have significant effects in reducing some symptoms of persistent rhinitis due to house dust mite allergy.

Side-Effect Profile of Brimonidine Tartrate in Children

To investigate brimonidine-related side effects and the efficacy of brimonidine in lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) in children with primary infantile and secondary glaucoma. Single-center, prospective, interventional, noncomparative case series. Eighty-three children (mean age, 7.84 years) met the inclusion criteria. Medical records were reviewed to identify children with primary infantile or other forms of secondary pediatric glaucoma from birth to 15 years who received brimonidine as adjunctive therapy for glaucoma. The parents of the children who met the inclusion criteria completed a detailed questionnaire-based interview. The children were examined to assess weight, major systemic effects, and efficacy of adjunctive brimonidine therapy. Questionnaire-based interview of parents to assess side effects of brimonidine and IOP-lowering effect of adjunctive brimonidine. Parents reported symptoms in 70 of 83 children (84%). The most common side effects were excessive sleepiness and lethargy (76%), eye itching and rubbing (49%), and stinging and burning of the eyes (39%). Logistic regression analysis showed a statistically significant independent association between age and weight with lethargy and sleepiness. In symptomatic patients, symptoms' frequency increased with low weight (<20 kg) and in the young (<6 years). Mean IOP reduction after initiation of brimonidine, mainly as an adjunct, was 5+/-6.7 mmHg (P<0.001). Side effects after the use of brimonidine in children were frequent. The weight and age of the child were important factors in predicting central nervous system side effects, especially excessive sleepiness and lethargy. Although brimonidine is effective in lowering IOP in children, alternative glaucoma therapy should be considered especially in children weighing <20 kg and those younger than 6 years.

Correlation of allergic symptoms with pollen counts

RATIONALE: To study the correlation between patient reported symptoms and pollen counts for the corresponding time period. METHODS: Patients completed questionnaires regarding allergy symptoms such as nasal congestion, sneezing, eye itching, as well as asthma symptoms such as coughing and wheezing. Their symptoms were compared with recorded pollen counts for the same time period. We evaluated months with increased pollen counts versus months with decreased pollen counts to see if reported symptoms differed during these times. We also reviewed the two months with the highest recorded ragweed pollen (September and October) and two months with no ragweed pollen (January and February) and evaluated the symptom answers for each. RESULTS: We found no significant difference in the percentage of people reporting symptoms in the months with high pollen counts versus months with low pollen counts. CONCLUSIONS: Questionnaires regarding allergy symptoms should be interpreted cautiously. We expected to find increased reported symptoms during months with high pollen counts, but this wasn't supported by the data.

Categorization of patients with allergic rhinitis: a comparative profile of “sneezers and runners” and “blockers”

The recent Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) workshop report classified patients into "sneezers and runners" and "blockers" and described a new disease severity categorization. To sketch the profile of these 2 groups and to evaluate the relevance of categorization. Patients were categorized as "sneezers and runners" (group 1) or "blockers" (group 2). The patients responded to a questionnaire that sought information on symptoms and associated factors. They were then categorized into seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) and perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) groups and "intermittent" and "persistent" disease groups and compared. A total of 114 patients (72 in group 1 and 42 in group 2) participated in the study. The significant features in group 1 were age at onset younger than 20 years (90%); birth date between June and September (61%); family history of atopy (88%); itching of skin (26%), eye (43%), ears (43%), and throat and palate (67%); and aggravation with dust (93%). History of breathlessness (90%), mouth breathing (81%), loss of smell (36%), and prior nasal surgery (31%) were significant in group 2. Significantly more patients in group 1 had SAR (54%) and moderate-severe intermittent disease (60%), whereas group 2 had PAR (81%) and mild persistent (69%) disease (P = .03). Patients classified as having SAR had intermittent disease (40, 83%) (P = .005), and those with PAR had persistent disease (51, 76%) (P < .001). Sixteen patients (24%) classified as having PAR were in the intermittent category, whereas 7 (17%) classified as having SAR were in the persistent category. This study demonstrated that the 2 groups had distinct clinical profiles and that it is important to categorize patients, according to the ARIA report, into intermittent and persistent allergic rhinitis groups.

OPHTHALMIC SYMPTOMS AMONG LIGHT-ON TEST WORKERS IN THE TFT-LCD INDUSTRY

ISEE-419 Introduction: The TFT-LCD (thin film transistor liquid crystal display) manufacturing is a fast growing sector of electronic industry in Taiwan. Many workers perform the so-call “light-on test” procedure during the manufacturing process to detect defects in the products. At light-on test workstations, operators are exposed to flashing lights, low ambient illumination, and low humidity (in “clean room”) for long periods of time (average 12 hours per working day). Few researches, if any, have been conducted to evaluate the ophthalmologic effects of working at light-on test workstations. We therefore carried out a study to asses the prevalence of ophthalmologic symptoms among these workers and evaluate its association with the duration of employment. Methods: We used “visual fatigue self-assessment table” to evaluate all light-on test workers in a large TFT-LCD factory. This table has eight items, including eye pain, blurred vision at far distance, unable to focus from near distance to far distance, blurred vision at near distance, change of color perception, red eyes, increased eye discharge, and eye dryness. We defined a case of “ophthalmic discomfort syndrome” as a worker who had any one of the above eight items. We compared the prevalence of the ophthalmic discomfort syndrome between those who had worked at light-on test workstation for more than 1 year (the study group) and those who had worked for less than 3 months (the referent group). Results: We included all 319 workers who had worked at light-on test workstations of a large TFT-LCD factory. All of them were women and worked by four-shift rotations. The average age was 24.2 (SD=3.8) years, and the average employment duration was 13.6 (SD=5.7) months. The overall prevalence of ophthalmic discomfort syndrome was 69.3% (221 cases). The prevalence of each symptom was 43.3% for “eye dryness,” 30.0% for “eye itching,” 16.0% for “red eyes,” and 11.0% for “eye pain.” We found the prevalence of ophthalmic discomfort syndrome of the study group was significantly higher than that of the referent group (75.5% vs. 32.9%, P<0.001 for chi-square test of the difference). Discussion: A high prevalence of ophthalmic discomfort syndrome was observed among light-on test workers, and senior workers had a higher prevalence than junior workers. Further researches to identify the risk factors are needed to guide the prevention and control measures.

Cases from the Osler Medical Service at Johns Hopkins University

A 42-year-old woman presented to the emergency department at the Johns Hopkins Hospital complaining of a fever and a rash. The patient reported that 9 days before admission she noticed a painful rash on her left buttock. She was diagnosed with zoster and given a 10-day course of valacyclovir. However, on day 6 of therapy, the patient developed a new rash that started on her palms and soles, spreading up her arms and legs to her trunk, and moved to the mucous membranes in her mouth. The patient reported that the new rash began as erythematous circles with central vesicles, that it was itchy and painful, and that it seemed to be associated with fevers, chills, and rigors. Concurrently, she developed worsening of her migraine headaches and right eye redness and itching. The patient denied any nausea, vomiting, or abdominal symptoms, but had decreased oral intake due to painful oral lesions.

Severe allergic blepharoconjunctivitis induced by a dye for eyelashes and eyebrows

Purpose: To report a case of severe allergic blepharoconjunctivitis induced by a dye for eyebrows and eyelashes. Methods: A 38-year-old healthy female was examined one day after dyeing her eyebrows and eyelashes with a black cream dye intended for this purpose (FDA-approved). The patient complained of severe eye itching, redness, and epiphora. Results: Vision was 20/40 in both eyes; a moderate edema of the eyebrows and eyelid margins was noted. The conjunctiva was severely hyperemic with papillary reaction and chemosis. The corneas, anterior chambers, irides, lenses, and posterior segments were normal. The patient was treated with Dexamethasone 0.1% and ocular lubrication. After five days of treatment, the ocular symptoms improved, her vision returned to 20/20 in both eyes, and the ocular examination was within normal limits. Conclusion: FDA-approved dyes for eyebrows and eyelashes can sometimes irritate the ocular surface.

Prevalence of adverse reactions to latex gloves in Korean operating room nurses

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence rate of adverse reactions to latex gloves. Among hospital personnel working in operating rooms, 41.4% reported adverse reactions to latex. Especially among OR nurses, the prevalence rate of adverse reactions was 80.3%, and that of latex allergy was 9.8%. Common symptoms were rash, skin itching, dizziness, and eye itching. Atopics had more latex allergy than the non-atopics. There was no difference in the incidence rate of latex allergy among the five gloves by the prick test. But with the exposure test, ordinary gloves had a higher latex allergy incidence than hypoallergenic gloves.

Near vision accommodation in horizontality with VDT: why low blinking and dry eye?

Users of current computer Visual Display Terminals (VDT) frequently complain of eye dryness, ocular surface redness, eye itching, burning, irritation, sandiness, headache, glare, neck pain, fatigue and tiredness. 1-6 These same users do not feel these symptoms when reading a book. In this study we examine different positional changes of the eyes and head during both plesiovision, i.e., downward gazing near vision, and horizontal near vision. As VDT occupy a large volume of space, they are generally placed on office tables in a vertical position, obliging the users to look at them horizontally. This study presents the positional changes of the eyes when focusing from a distance (teleopsis) with the eyes in a horizontal position, when focusing near (plesiopsis) with the eyes gazing downward, and when focusing near with the eyes in a horizontal position.

Allergic conjunctivitis as a risk factor for laser in situ keratomileusis

Purpose: To analyze the effect of allergic conjunctivitis (AC) on the outcome of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in myopic eyes. Setting: Minamiaoyama Eye Clinic, Tokyo, Japan. Methods: Patients who had LASIK were divided into 2 groups: those with AC (84 eyes of 49 patients; the allergic group) and those without AC (140 eyes of 77 patients; the nonallergic group). Allergic conjunctivitis was diagnosed clinically by symptoms of eye itching and clinical findings such as papillary proliferation on the tarsal conjunctiva. Preoperative and postoperative uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and refraction and intraoperative and postoperative complications were compared. Results: There were no significant differences in UCVA and refraction between the 2 groups. No complications were observed in the allergic group. Intraoperative conjunctival chemosis (3 eyes of 2 patients) and a postoperative epithelial defect that resulted in epithelial ingrowth (1 eye) were observed in the nonallergic group. Conclusion: The findings suggest that AC is not a risk factor for LASIK.

Skin irritation in users of brominated pools

This study investigated adverse skin and eye effects in swimmers using pools with three different disinfection systems (chlorine, chlorine/ozone and bromine/ozone) and monitored water quality parameters that may be related to adverse health effects. A cross-sectional study of 770 children swimming in three school pools was carried out over a 4 week period in November 1994 using a postal questionnaire. Physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters of water quality were monitored on a weekly basis. Responses were obtained for 385 swimmers. Skin rashes with an onset less than 24 h after swimming in the school pool were reported by 4‐8% of swimmers. Compared with the bromine/ozone pool, the odds ratio (OR) of having a rash that started less than 24 h after pool use was 1.91 (CI 0.71‐5.10) for the chlorine pool and 1.88 (CI 0.61‐5.81) for the chlorine/ozone pool. Adjustment for possible confounders made no significant differences to these results. Eye redness, itch or irritation was reported by 23‐33% of swimmers and 24% of non-swimmers, and wearing swimming goggles had a protective effect (OR 0.40; CI 0.24, 0.65). Disinfectant levels were more consistently maintained in the pools with automatically controlled systems. The bromine disinfection system was not associated with a greater risk of the development of skin rashes than other disinfection systems, but the numbers were small, and need to be interpreted with caution.