Risk factors in the development of ocular surface epithelial dysplasia.
BACKGROUND
Ocular surface epithelial dysplasia involves a spectrum of diseases ranging from only minor eye irritation to blindness and potentially death.


METHODS
A case-control study involving 60 patients with ocular surface epithelial dysplasia treated between 1972 and 1991 and 60 age- and sex-matched individuals was conducted to compare relative ultraviolet light exposures over their lifetimes. A standardized self-administered ultraviolet exposure questionnaire was used for assessment.


RESULTS
Risk factors identified include phenotypic features such as fair skin (odds ratio [OR], 5.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1, 25.6), pale iris (OR, 1.8; 95%; CI, 0.9, 3.8), and propensity to sunburn (OR, 3.8; 95% CI, 0.7, 19.7), history of previous skin cancers removed (OR, 15; 95% CI, 2.0, 113.6), and being outdoors more than 50% of time in the first 6 years of life while living 30 degrees or less from the equator (OR, 7.5; 95% CI, 1.8, 30.6).


CONCLUSIONS
These risk factors suggest that ocular surface epithelial dysplasia is an ultraviolet light-related disease.
Lee
G A
GA
Department of Surgery, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Williams
G
G
Hirst
L W
LW
Green
A C
AC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects