Pterygium Among Latino Migrant Farmworkers in North Carolina

The authors describe the prevalence and severity of pterygium among Latino migrant farmworkers in North Carolina and delineate its risk factors. They selected a sample of 304 farmworkers working in eastern North Carolina in 2005. Digital photographs were taken of each farmworker, including a facial view showing the eyes. Two physicians independently rated each farmworker for the presence and severity of pterygia, with an initial intercoder agreement of 91%. Sixty-eight (23.3%) participants had a pterygium in at least 1 eye; 28 (9.5%) had bilateral pterygia. Age was significantly associated with pterygia (odds ratio = 1.07; 95% confidence interval = 1.03-1.11). Research on the causes of pterygium among farmworkers is needed. In the interim, improvements in farmworkers' preventive behaviors, such as wearing ultraviolet protective lenses and brimmed hats, are reasonable and inexpensive measures.