Ezinne Ngozika Esther, Cheklie Tarekegn, Coward Jolyne, Clarke CSveta, Clopton Dilanna, Colthrust Aiesha, Constantine Darianne, Cordner Anamika, Dabiedeen Richard, Dalsou Pavana
Optometry Unit, Department of Clinical Surgical Sciences, University of the West Indies, Saint Augustine Campus, Saint Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
Bathurst Rural Clinical School, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia.
Int Ophthalmol. 2025 Jun 9;45(1):235. doi: 10.1007/s10792-025-03613-3.
Ocular allergy (OA) is a significant public health concern, but its prevalence remains underreported due to underdiagnosis. This study aims to determine the prevalence of OA among adults in Trinidad and Tobago.
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire to assess OA prevalence. Sociodemographic, environmental, and systemic characteristics of participants were also evaluated. Data was analyzed using SPSS with both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, including bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression.
A total of 591 participants completed the survey with majority (73.6%) as female and aged 18-24 years (50.1%). The overall prevalence of OA was 41.6% (95% CI, 37.2-45.0), with seasonal OA being the most common (80.1%). OA symptoms were most prevalent in spring (62.1%), with light sensitivity reported by 57.7% of participants. Bi-variable analysis identified asthma, allergic rhinitis, pollen allergy, and exposure to environmental factors such as cigarettes and air conditioning as associated with OA. Multivariable analysis confirmed these associations, with significant p-values for asthma (0.017), allergic rhinitis (0.035), pollen allergy (< 0.001), mite allergy (0.038), cigarettes (0.006), air conditioning (< 0.001), and OA awareness (< 0.001).
There is a high prevalence of OA among adults in Trinidad and Tobago, with systemic and environmental allergens playing a significant role. Interventions to reduce exposure to allergens, such as using indoor air filters and managing allergic conditions, could help mitigate OA prevalence. Regular assessment of patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma for OA is recommended.
眼部过敏（OA）是一个重大的公共卫生问题，但由于诊断不足，其患病率仍未得到充分报告。本研究旨在确定特立尼达和多巴哥成年人中OA的患病率。
采用在线问卷进行描述性横断面研究，以评估OA患病率。还评估了参与者的社会人口统计学、环境和全身特征。使用SPSS对数据进行分析，采用描述性和推断性统计技术，包括双变量和多变量逻辑回归。
共有591名参与者完成了调查，其中大多数（73.6%）为女性，年龄在18 - 24岁之间（50.1%）。OA的总体患病率为41.6%（95%可信区间，37.2 - 45.0），其中季节性OA最为常见（80.1%）。OA症状在春季最为普遍（62.1%），57.7%的参与者报告有光敏感症状。双变量分析确定哮喘、过敏性鼻炎、花粉过敏以及接触香烟和空调等环境因素与OA有关。多变量分析证实了这些关联，哮喘（0.017）、过敏性鼻炎（0.035）、花粉过敏（<0.001）、螨虫过敏（0.038）、香烟（0.006）、空调（<0.001）和对OA的认知（<0.001）的p值均具有统计学意义。
特立尼达和多巴哥成年人中OA患病率较高，全身和环境过敏原起重要作用。减少接触过敏原的干预措施，如使用室内空气过滤器和管理过敏状况，可能有助于降低OA患病率。建议对过敏性鼻炎和哮喘患者定期进行OA评估。
