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. 2011 Dec;70(12):262-5.

Ocular findings in volcanic fog induced conjunctivitis

Jorge G Camara  1 , John Kenneth D Lagunzad
Affiliations

Ocular findings in volcanic fog induced conjunctivitis

Jorge G Camara et al. Hawaii Med J. 2011 Dec.

Abstract

Objective: To describe the ocular signs and symptoms of patients complaining of eye irritation due to volcanic fog (vog).

Methods: The study utilized a non-comparative, retrospective chart review of 30 patients who had a chief complaint of eye irritation, which the subjects attributed to vog. Ocular signs and symptoms are described and related to the ambient concentration of sulfur dioxide (SO(2)), particulate matter sized 2.5 microns (PM(2.5)), and vog visibility in O'ahu during the period of the study.

Results: Ocular signs noted were conjunctival injection (100%), clear mucous discharge (100%), papillary reaction (100%), punctal edema (80%), eyelid swelling (73.3%) and chemosis (63.3%). Ocular symptoms were itchiness (100%), foreign body sensation (100%), tearing (96.6%) and burning sensation (90%). All patients had concurrent respiratory symptoms. During the period of study, the highest 24-hour average concentration of particulate matter sized 2.5 microns (PM(2.5)) was 49.04 µg/m(3) and vog was visually present.

Conclusions: Patients complaining of eye irritation due to vog have observable ocular signs and symptoms.

Keywords: Particulate matter sized 2.5 microns (PM2.5); Sulfur dioxide (SO2); Vog induced conjunctivitis (VIC).

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Conjunctival injection (A). Excessive tearing made evident with fluorescein dye (B).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Papillary reaction on upper palpebral conjunctiva (A). Papillary reaction on lower palpebral conjunctiva with punctal edema (B).
Figure 3a
Figure 3a
24-hour average of PM2.5 levels (µg/m3) measured from O‘ahu monitoring stations, January 2011. (Data from the Clean Air Branch, Department of Health, Hawai‘i)
Figure 3b
Figure 3b
24-hour average of PM2.5 levels (µg/m3) measured from O‘ahu monitoring stations, February 2011. (Data from the Clean Air Branch, Department of Health, Hawai‘i)
Figure 3c
Figure 3c
24-hour average of PM2.5 levels (µg/m3) measured from O‘ahu monitoring stations, March 2011. (Data from the Clean Air Branch, Department of Health, Hawai‘i)
Figure 4a
Figure 4a
24-hour average of SO2 levels (ppm) measured from O‘ahu monitoring stations, January 2011. (Data from the Clean Air Branch, Department of Health, Hawai‘i)
Figure 4b
Figure 4b
24-hour average of SO2 levels (ppm) measured from O‘ahu monitoring stations, February 2011. (Data from the Clean Air Branch, Department of Health, Hawai‘i)
Figure 4c
Figure 4c
24-hour average of SO2 levels (ppm) measured from O‘ahu monitoring stations, March 2011. (Data from the Clean Air Branch, Department of Health, Hawai‘i)
Figure 5
Figure 5
Monthly vog visibility data (January–May 2011). (Data from the Clean Air Brach, Department of Health, Hawai‘i)
Figure 6
Figure 6
Mean monthly frequency of the Trade winds over Hawaiian waters. (Data from the National Weather Service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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