Measurement of acute response to draught in the eye

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Abstract
In order to assess the sensitivity to draught of 7 different tests, 41 volunteer subjects were exposed experimentally: 18 to 1.0 m/s and 9 to 0.5 m/s in a climate chamber: 14 to an average of 0.67 m/s in an air-conditioned car. All exposures were at 21-22.degree. C. Exposures were for 30 min indoors, 45 min in the car. Break-up Time (BUT) of the pre-corneal film after a blink was observed before and after exposure in the laboratory. There was a significant decrease after exposure to 1.0 m/s (P < 0.01) but not to 0.5 m/s. The variance of the observed BUT increased after exposure to 0.5 m/s (P < 0.05). The Norn Lacrimal Dilution test showed increased tear flow after the climate-chamber exposures (P < 0.05). Self-reported BUT(S) were always several times longer than BUT. There was a significant correlation between these measures (P < 0.05) before exposure, but not after. BUT(S), like BUT, decreased after exposure to 1.0 m/s (P < 0.01), but not after 0.5 m/s. However, the variance of BUT(S) did not increase significantly after 0.5 m/s; it decreased significantly after 1.0 m/s (P < 0.01). A significantly improved mucus ferning pattern was observed due in part to increased lacrimal flow. There was no significant effect of draught on the albumin content of tear samples taken before and after exposure. Lissamine Green staining performed before and after exposure revealed no effect on micro-damage to the conjunctival epithelium. BUT(S) was also obtained every 5 min during the exposure. This was the only response measure used in the car. BUT(S) decreased from pre-exposure values within the first 10 min of 0.5 m/s (P < 0.04) and at 1.0 m/s (P < 0.03). After 20 min BUT(S) was higher during exposure to 0.5 m/s than to 1.0 m/s (P < 0.01). This difference decreased with continued exposure. In the car, BUT(S) also decreased significantly after 10 min (P < 0.02). It is concluded that BUT(S) can be used as a sensitive field measure for the study of draughts in moving vehicles, as it may be obtained even from the driver.

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