EYE TRIGEMINAL SENSITIVITY, TEAR FILM STABILITY, AND CONJUNCTIVAL EPITHELIUM DAMAGE IN 182 NON-ALLERGIC, NON-SMOKING DANES

摘要

The distribution of CO_2 induced irritation sensitivity in the eyes (COI), breakup time (BUT), and epithelium damage (ED) and the relations within these and with age, gender, eye irritation, and perceived environment was assessed in 182 non-allergic non-smoking persons from a random sample. BUT, COI at 16% CO_2 and ED was non-normally distributed. COI-average was normally distributed. BUT decreased, the threshold to CO_2 increased, and the irritation intensity at COI decreased with increasing age. ED was highest among women. The three physiological measures were not correlated, but BUT was lower among subjects rating exposure to dust, electrostatic fields, and dry air. ED was increased with experiences of high temperatures. COI increased with perceived draught, dry air, and noise exposure. The results may be used as reference data after controlling for age and gender. The relation to environment should be interpreted with reservation, but may generate new hypotheses.