Análisis de la prevalencia de patologías de la superficie ocular y párpados asociadas a la calidad del aire en Bucaramanga y su área Metropolitana en pacientes de la Clínica de Optometría de la Universidad Santo Tomás, seccional Bucaramanga entre el primero de Octubre de 2018 y el 31 de Diciembre de 2020

Abstract

Objective: to describe the variations in the frequency of pathologies of the ocular surface and eyelids associated with air quality in the city of Bucaramanga and its metropolitan area present in patients who attended the Optometry Clinic of the Universidad Santo Tomás sectional Bucaramanga. between October 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020. Methodology: the present work is based on a quantitative study of a mixed ecological observational type. The prevalence of anterior segment alterations estimated based on the review of clinical records of patients who attended the Optometry clinic of the Universidad Santo Tomás sectional Bucaramanga between October 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020 was taken as a reference measure, in addition, the data collected by the CDMB on air quality indices between October 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020 were included. The variables to take into account were: place of residence, sex, pathologies, age and air quality. Results: 170 patients were included in the study, determining that 51% of patients reside in Bucaramanga, followed by 22% of those who live in Floridablanca. The station that recorded the highest values of the air quality index was the one located near Colegio La Normal Superior during the month of March 2020, followed by the station located in Lagos del Cacique, the most presented diagnosis during the increase. of the values of the first station (Colegio La Normal Superior) was chronic conjunctivitis and in the case of the station (Lagos del Cacique) blepharitis was the most diagnosed. Step followed, the most frequent age of the patients attended ranges between 51-60 years with a diagnosis of other disorders of the Meibomian Glands and the second most frequent age is 18-30 years with chronic conjunctivitis. In addition, it can be considered that environmental exposure and variations in air quality in Bucaramanga and its metropolitan area can affect the ocular surface and eyelids of patients treated at the Santo Tomás University Clinic, however, there are other associated causes.