EFFECT OF SUN EXPOSURE DURATION ON CYCLOOXYGENASE-2 EXPRESSION IN THE CONJUNCTIVA

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Molecular Biology
• Pathology

Background:

• Pterygium, a conjunctival growth, is linked to environmental factors.
• Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is implicated in inflammatory and proliferative processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between solar radiation exposure duration and COX-2 expression in conjunctival tissue.
• To compare COX-2 findings in patients with pterygium versus healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• Immunohistochemical staining for COX-2 was performed on conjunctival samples from 68 pterygium patients and 43 controls.
• Sun exposure duration was assessed, and COX-2 immunostaining intensity was graded (0 to +++).

Main Results:

• Positive COX-2 findings were observed in 42.6% of pterygium patients and 62.8% of controls.
• Controls (Group 2) were older with significantly longer sun exposure histories.
• Statistical analysis identified solar radiation exposure duration as the primary factor for positive COX-2 findings.

Conclusions:

• Longer duration of solar radiation exposure is significantly associated with positive COX-2 findings in conjunctival tissue.
• This highlights the role of cumulative sun exposure in ocular surface pathology and COX-2 expression.