Correlational analysis between sun ultraviolet radiation and prevalence of actinic conjunctivitis in school children between 5 and 12 years old, in three different hights above the sea level in Cundinamarca

Abstract

As the conjunctive is in direct contact with the environment, it becomes in the most susceptible part of the eye to suffer from irritation and actinic conjunctivitis, being the infantile population the most vulnerable to the effects of prolonged exposition to the sun and consequently to the ultraviolet radiation (UVR). The objective of this research was to make a correlacional analysis, between the UVR and the prevalence of actinic conjunctivitis, in 150 children, between the 5 and 12 years old, in three towns of Cundinamarca in Colombia: La Calera at 2850 meters above the sea level, Bogotá at 2630 meters above the sea level and Guayabal de Síquima at 1630 meters above the sea level. Materials and <em><strong>Methods:</strong></em> An optometric examination and a radiometer with biological sensor (erythematic action spectrum) were used as instruments to establish the diagnostics of actinic conjunctivitis in the studied population and the UVR values in the different heights. <em><strong>Results:</strong></em> in the variance analysis there was a linear correlation between the prevalence of actinic conjunctivitis and the UVR (daily dose average per month). As a conclusion, this factor provided us necessary information to improve in a future the prevention of the conjunctivitis caused by the UVR.