Ocular surface and environmental changes

Purpose: To investigate if ocular surface and precorneal tear film are influenced by the environment. Method: We studied the environmental influences on the ocular surface using the tests Break-up time, Schirmer-1 test and Rose Bengal staining. We correlated the values of the above tests among three groups of normal people from different places in Greece with different climates and levels of atmospheric pollution, Group A consisted of 57 persons coming from an area with a dry and warm climate and heavy atmospheric pollution, Group B consisted of 55 normal persons coming from an area with a dry and warm climate and a low level of atmospheric pollution, Group C consisted of 55 persons coming from an area with a humid and cool climate and a low level of atmospheric pollution. Results: Schirmer-1 test and Break-up time are influenced by the climatic conditions but they are not influenced by the atmospheric pollution, while Rose Bengal staining is not influenced either by the climate or by the atmospheric pollution. Conclusion: The precorneal tear film is much more influenced by the climatic conditions than by the atmospheric pollution.