Effect of exposure to biomass smoke from cooking fuel types and eye disorders in women from hilly and plain regions of Nepal.
Br J Ophthalmol
; 106(1): 141-148, 2022 01.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-32920527
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIM:
To study the association between exposure to biomass smoke from cooking fuels andi cataract, visual acuity and ocular symptoms in women.METHODS:
We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study among women (≥20 years and without a previous diagnosis of cataract, ocular trauma or diabetes or those taking steroids) from hilly and plain regions of Nepal. Eligible participants received an interview and a comprehensive eye assessment (cataract development, visual acuity test and ocular symptoms). Participants' data on demographics, cooking fuel type and duration of use, and cooking habits were collected. We addressed potential confounders using the propensity score and other risk factors for ocular diseases through regression analysis.RESULTS:
Of 784 participants, 30.6% used clean fuel (liquefied petroleum gas, methane, electricity) as their primary current fuel, and the remaining 69.4% used biomass fuels. Thirty-nine per cent of the total participants had cataracts-about twofold higher in those who currently used biomass fuel compared with those who used clean fuel (OR=2.27; 95% CI 1.09 to 4.77) and over threefold higher in those who always used biomass. Similarly, the nuclear cataract was twofold higher in the current biomass user group compared with the clean fuel user group (OR=2.53; 95% CI 1.18-5.42) and over threefold higher among those who always used biomass. A higher proportion of women using biomass had impaired vision, reported more ocular symptoms compared with those using clean fuel. Severe impaired vision and blindness were only present in biomass fuel users. However, the differences were only statistically significant for symptoms such as redness, burning sensation, a complaint of pain in the eye and tear in the eyes.CONCLUSIONS:
Cataract was more prevalent in women using biomass for cooking compared with those using clean fuel.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Catarata
/
Oftalmopatias
Tipo de estudo:
Etiology_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Female
/
Humans
País/Região como assunto:
Asia
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Br J Ophthalmol
Ano de publicação:
2022
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Irlanda