title: Problems of the "outer eyes" in the office environment: an ergophthalmologic approach.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assist health professionals dealing with the complex clinical picture of "outer" eye symptoms-among top-two in office environments--by an ergophthalmologic approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  The terms "precorneal tear film" (PTF) and eye/ocular discomfort and irritation symptoms were searched together with a number of environmental and personal factors in databases such as PubMed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The microclimate (humidity and temperature), environmental pollution, working conditions and habits, contact lenses, certain medication, nutrition, and personal care products alter the PTF. Ocular allergies also contribute to the overall incidence of ocular symptoms and diseases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These mechanisms alter the structure and chemical composition of the PTF leading to desiccation and hyperosmolarity. A third mechanism causes trigeminal stimulation by air pollutants; in indoor environments by concerted action of the two former mechanisms. Hygienic habits prevent alteration of the PTF.
authors.affiliation: National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark. pwo@nrcwe.dk
authors.forename: Peder
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wolkoff
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kärcher
authors.forename: Horst
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mayer
mesh_terms: D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects; D003201:Computers; D003261:Contact Lenses / Q000009:adverse effects; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005143:Eyelids / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013666:Tears; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens