Short time adaptation of tear film to indoor climate (sick building syndrome)

Abstract

In 72 normal persons the frequency of dry eye complaints and several tear tests were determined before and after eight weeks work in air conditioned rooms. The number of persons claiming dry eye syndrome ‘often’ or ‘always’ increased from one to nine. The break-up time fell significantly (p < 0.01) from 14.63 sec (SD: 4.51) to 10.64 sec (SD: 4.96). The Schirmer-1-test increased significantly (p < 0.01) from 19.4 mm/5 min (SD: 10.2) to 22.0 (SD: 10.3). No significant change was seen in tear feming test.

Key Words:

• Break-up time
• dry eye syndrome
• Schirmer test
• sick building syndrome
• tear ferning test