title: Ocular Surface and Tear Film Changes in Older Women Working with Computers.
abstract: The aim of this work is to investigate changes in the ocular surface (OS) and tear film (TF) by means of questionnaire-based subjective symptoms, TF break-up time, Schirmer test, and TF analysis in women working with computers and to analyze the effects of the oral supplementation with antioxidants/omega 3 fatty acids (A/ω3) in the OS outcomes. Women aged 40-65 years (n = 148) were recruited at the Administrative Offices of Valencia (Spain) and distributed into two age groups, 40-52 years (AGE1; n = 87) and 53-65 years (AGE2; n = 61), and then subdivided according to being (or not) computer users (CUG; NCUG) during the workday. Homogeneous subgroups were randomly assigned (or not) to the daily intake of three pills of A/ω3 for three months. At baseline and at the end of follow-up, personalized interviews and ocular examination were done. Reflex tear samples were collected from the inferior meniscus and processed for a multiplexed particle-based flow cytometry assay to measure proinflammatory molecules. Statistics were performed using the SPSS 15.0 program. The OS pathology was clinically evident in the AGE1-CUG (33%) versus the AGE2-CUG (64%) of women. Significantly higher interleukins-1β and -6 tear levels were found in the AGE1 versus the AGE2 women employees (P = 0.006 and P = 0.001, resp.), as well as in the CUG versus the NCUG (P = 0.001 and P = 0.000, resp.). Supplementation with A/ω3 positively influenced the OS pathology as manifested by the amelioration of the clinical signs/symptoms related to computer uses. Strategies involving a safe environment and oral micronutrient supplements may be managed within eye-care standards in older women.
authors.affiliation: Occupational Medical Services, General Treasury of the Social Security Administration, 46001 Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ribelles
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Valencia, 46007 Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Galbis-Estrada
authors.affiliation: Occupational Medical Services, General Treasury of the Social Security Administration, 46001 Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Maria A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Parras
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Valencia, 46007 Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Bárbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vivar-Llopis
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Valencia, 46007 Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marco-Ramírez
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Valencia, 46007 Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Diaz-Llopis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003201:Computers; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D005123:Eye / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D013030:Spain; D013666:Tears / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D053583:Interleukin-1beta