Association Between Three Heavy Metals and Dry Eye Disease in Korean Adults: Results of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Overview

Journal Korean J Ophthalmol

Specialty Ophthalmology

Date 2019 Feb 13

PMID 30746909

Citations 5

Authors

Sang Joon Jung

Si Hyung Lee

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the associations between blood heavy metal concentrations and dry eye disease using a Korean population-based survey.

Methods: This study included 23,376 participants >40 years of age who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2010 to 2012. Blood concentrations of lead, cadmium, and mercury were measured in all participants. The associations between blood heavy metal concentrations and dry eye disease were assessed using multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results: After adjusting for potential confounders, including age, sex, lifestyle behaviors and sociodemographic factors, the analyses revealed an increased odds ratio (OR) for dry eye disease with higher blood mercury concentrations (tertile 2: OR, 1.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.91 to 1.64; tertile 3: OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.89; = 0.039). The prevalence of dry eye disease was not associated with blood lead (tertile 2: OR, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.87 to 1.51; tertile 3: OR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.59 to 1.16; = 0.283) or cadmium (tertile 2: OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.77 to 1.44; tertile 3: OR, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.84 to 1.58; = 0.389) concentrations. There were no significant associations between any of the three heavy metals and dry eye disease in males after adjusting for potential confounding factors, but blood mercury concentrations in females were associated with dry eye disease (tertile 2: OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.69; tertile 3: OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.12 to 2.24; = 0.009).

Conclusions: Mercury concentrations in blood were associated with dry eye disease. Our results suggested that controlling environmental exposure to mercury may be necessary to reduce the incidence of dry eye disease.

Citing Articles

Quantification of Metal(loid)s in Lubricating Eye Drops Used in the Treatment of Dry Eye Disease.

de Oliveira M, Melo E, Silva T, Cardozo C, Siqueira I, Hamaji M Molecules. 2023; 28(18).

PMID: 37764284 PMC: 10536462. DOI: 10.3390/molecules28186508.

Impact of Microplastics on the Ocular Surface.

Wu D, Lim B, Seah I, Xie S, Jaeger J, Symons R Int J Mol Sci. 2023; 24(4).

PMID: 36835339 PMC: 9962686. DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043928.

Associations between Biomarkers of Metal Exposure and Dry Eye Metrics in Shipyard Welders: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Liou Y, Chen Y, Chen W, Li K, Chou T, Huang Y Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022; 19(4).

PMID: 35206452 PMC: 8872428. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19042264.

Health Problems Among Workers Who Recycle Electronic Waste in Southern Thailand.

Decharat S, Kiddee P Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2020; 11(1):34-43.

PMID: 32149040 PMC: 7045883. DOI: 10.24171/j.phrp.2020.11.1.06.

Topical Application of Extract Attenuates Dry Eye Syndrome Induced by Particulate Matter.

Song S, Hyun S, Lee T, Park B, Jo K, Lee I J Ophthalmol. 2020; 2019:1429548.

PMID: 31915539 PMC: 6931024. DOI: 10.1155/2019/1429548.

References

Kweon S, Kim Y, Jang M, Kim Y, Kim K, Choi S . Data resource profile: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Int J Epidemiol. 2014; 43(1):69-77. PMC: 3937975. DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyt228. View

Sabelaish S, Hilmi G . Ocular manifestations of mercury poisoning. Bull World Health Organ. 1976; 53 Suppl:83-6. PMC: 2366408. View

Fortes M, Diment B, Di Felice U, Gunn A, Kendall J, Esmaeelpour M . Tear fluid osmolarity as a potential marker of hydration status. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2011; 43(8):1590-7. DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e31820e7cb6. View

Brake J, Hester P, Thaxton P, Morgan G, Sikes C . Effect of mercury toxiocity on serum osmolality, plasma sodium and potassium, and serum proteins in the chicken. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. 1980; 9(4):431-6. DOI: 10.1007/BF01055295. View

Erie J, Butz J, Good J, Erie E, Burritt M, Cameron J . Heavy metal concentrations in human eyes. Am J Ophthalmol. 2005; 139(5):888-93. DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2004.12.007. View

. The definition and classification of dry eye disease: report of the Definition and Classification Subcommittee of the International Dry Eye WorkShop (2007). Ocul Surf. 2007; 5(2):75-92. DOI: 10.1016/s1542-0124(12)70081-2. View

Augustin A, Spitznas M, Kaviani N, Meller D, Koch F, Grus F . Oxidative reactions in the tear fluid of patients suffering from dry eyes. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 1995; 233(11):694-8. DOI: 10.1007/BF00164671. View

Tsubota K, Kawashima M, Inaba T, Dogru M, Matsumoto Y, Ishida R . The antiaging approach for the treatment of dry eye. Cornea. 2012; 31 Suppl 1:S3-8. DOI: 10.1097/ICO.0b013e31826a05a8. View

BOTELHO S, Hisada M, Fuenmayor N . Functional innervation of the lacrimal gland in the cat. Origin of secretomotor fibers in the lacrimal nerve. Arch Ophthalmol. 1966; 76(4):581-8. DOI: 10.1001/archopht.1966.03850010583019. View

10.

Thomas D, Fisher H, Sumler M, Marcus A, Mushak P, Hall L . Sexual differences in the distribution and retention of organic and inorganic mercury in methyl mercury-treated rats. Environ Res. 1986; 41(1):219-34. DOI: 10.1016/s0013-9351(86)80184-0. View

11.

Beatty S, Koh H, Phil M, Henson D, Boulton M . The role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration. Surv Ophthalmol. 2000; 45(2):115-34. DOI: 10.1016/s0039-6257(00)00140-5. View

12.

He Z, Yang X, Stoffella P . Trace elements in agroecosystems and impacts on the environment. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2005; 19(2-3):125-40. DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2005.02.010. View

13.

Warfvinge K, Bruun A . Mercury distribution in the squirrel monkey retina after in Utero exposure to mercury vapor. Environ Res. 2000; 83(2):102-9. DOI: 10.1006/enrs.1999.4029. View

14.

Chung S, Myong J . Are higher blood mercury levels associated with dry eye symptoms in adult Koreans? A population-based cross-sectional study. BMJ Open. 2016; 6(4):e010985. PMC: 4853985. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010985. View

15.

Milioni A, Nagy B, Moura A, Zachi E, Barboni M, Ventura D . Neurotoxic impact of mercury on the central nervous system evaluated by neuropsychological tests and on the autonomic nervous system evaluated by dynamic pupillometry. Neurotoxicology. 2016; 59:263-269. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2016.04.010. View

16.

Hessen M, Akpek E . Dry eye: an inflammatory ocular disease. J Ophthalmic Vis Res. 2014; 9(2):240-50. PMC: 4181208. View

17.

Tchounwou P, Yedjou C, Patlolla A, Sutton D . Heavy metal toxicity and the environment. Exp Suppl. 2012; 101:133-64. PMC: 4144270. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-7643-8340-4_6. View

18.

Yoon K, Mun G, Kim S, Kim S, Kim C, Park K . Prevalence of eye diseases in South Korea: data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2009. Korean J Ophthalmol. 2011; 25(6):421-33. PMC: 3223710. DOI: 10.3341/kjo.2011.25.6.421. View

19.

Bridges C, Battle J, Zalups R . Transport of thiol-conjugates of inorganic mercury in human retinal pigment epithelial cells. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2007; 221(2):251-60. PMC: 1975820. DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2007.03.004. View

20.

Walsh N, Fortes M, Esmaeelpour M . Influence of modest changes in whole-body hydration on tear fluid osmolarity: important considerations for dry eye disease detection. Cornea. 2011; 30(12):1517. DOI: 10.1097/ICO.0b013e31821ddd3a. View