Ocular surface and tear film in university students who use inhalant substances, mainly vapers

To determine the state of ocular surface and tear film in college students who are users of inhalants, mainly vapers.

We conducted a descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study with 62 participants whose sociodemographic characteristics, ocular surface status, tear film and variables related to vaping were evaluated. Individuals with a higher (5-7 times per week of consumption) and lower frequency of vaping (1-4 times per week of consumption) were evaluated. Symptom documentation was standardized using the OSDI questionnaire and biomicroscopy to evaluate ocular adnexa and anterior segment structures, blinking frequency and eye protection index (EPI) were also determined.

A total of 76% of participants were men with a median age of 20.37 years, and an age range between 18 and 28 years. Participants with a higher frequency of vaping exhibited blepharitis (60%) (P-value > .05), meibomian gland obstruction (65.63%) (P-value > .05), tarsal conjunctival hyperemia (52.94%) (P-value < .05), tarsal conjunctival hyperemia (52.94%) (P-value < .05), generalized bulbar hyperemia (72.73%) (P-value > .05), papillary reaction (60%) (P-value > .05), conjunctival staining (75%) (P-value > .05), limbal redness (61.54%) (P-value > .05). A normal Schirmer I (median 31 mm/5 min), short tear breakup time (median 3.5 s in BUT) and a lower number of blinks per minute (median 10.75) were found, yet the EPI was lower (median 0.58).

Vaping could be associated with ocular health alterations, such as blepharitis, meibomian gland obstruction, conjunctival hyperemia, conjunctival staining and altered tear quality. Follow-up studies are recommended to establish causal relationships.