Decrease in quantity and quality of the lachrymal film among cooks of chicken roasting shops after the working day in downtown Bogota

Abstract

It a descriptive study whose main objective is to determine the changes in quantity and quality of the lachrymal film among cooks of chicken roasting shops after the working day in downtown Bogota who are exposed to risk factors such as smoke and high temperatures. Two groups were studied: one called control (not exposed to risk factors: waiters), and another called experimental (exposed to risk factors: cooks); both groups had 20 males 27 years old approximately, who did not have ocular pathologies. They were practiced Schirmer and BUT tests before their working day and after 4 hours of work to evaluate the quantity and quality of the lachrymal film. All individuals who were exposed to smoke and heat had a slight and moderate decrease in quantity and quality of the lachrymal film after 4 hours of work. Individuals who were not exposed to smoke and heat did not present significant variations in the tests. It is concluded that risk factors such as smoke and high temperatures are related to decrease in quantity and quality of the lachrymal film, which confirms findings of slight cases of dry eye.