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<p>Air pollution associated with rapid urbanization has become a critical public health challenge in Southeast Asian cities. Bandung, Indonesia, is situated in a basin, a topographical feature that facilitates the stagnation of pollutants. Although exposure to air pollutants triggers mucosal symptoms in the eyes and nose, the impact of individual background factors—such as transportation mode and work environment—and the efficacy of eyewash interventions remain insufficiently understood. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of background factors, including transportation mode (motorcycle vs. car) and work environment (outdoor vs. indoor), on subjective ocular and nasal symptoms among commuters in Bandung, and to evaluate the clinical efficacy of an eyewash intervention. This was an investigator-initiated, single-center, participant- and assessor-blinded, parallel-group, non-randomized controlled trial. Thirty commuters in Bandung (mean age 33.7 ± 9.6&#xa0;years; 21 males, 9 females; 15 motorcycle commuters, 15 car commuters) were enrolled. Subjective ocular (8 items) and nasal (4 items) symptoms were assessed. Baseline scores were compared after stratification by transportation mode and work environment. Subsequently, an intervention using a commercially available eyewash solution was performed, and pre- and post-intervention changes in symptoms were statistically analyzed. Univariate analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were conducted using the total clinical scores for eye and nose as dependent variables and background factors (sex, age, work environment, smoking habit, commute duration, and transportation mode) as independent variables to identify independent predictors of symptoms. Multiple regression analysis revealed that motorcycle use was the sole independent and significant predictor of increased ocular symptom scores (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.01). Furthermore, outdoor workers exhibited significantly higher baseline ocular symptoms compared to indoor workers (<i>p</i> = 0.01). Following the eyewash intervention, total clinical scores for both ocular and nasal symptoms improved significantly in both motorcycle and car commuters (all <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). Particulate matter was detected in the post-intervention eyewash solution of all participants. Motorcycle commuting was associated with higher ocular symptom burden in this small urban cohort. Eyewashing was associated with short-term improvement in subjective ocular and nasal discomfort. These findings suggest that eyewashing may serve as a supplementary personal care measure for symptom relief in individuals exposed to urban air pollution; however, further studies with larger, controlled designs are required to confirm its effectiveness and clinical utility.</p>

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Commuter-related ocular symptoms and eyewash intervention in an urban setting: a non-randomized interventional study in Bandung, Indonesia. The first report of the Bandung eyewash study

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月7日

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  • Tatsuya Mimura,
  • Willitri A. Sunarya,
  • Florence Kim,
  • Miho Nishiyama,
  • Yasuhiro Yoshida

摘要

Air pollution associated with rapid urbanization has become a critical public health challenge in Southeast Asian cities. Bandung, Indonesia, is situated in a basin, a topographical feature that facilitates the stagnation of pollutants. Although exposure to air pollutants triggers mucosal symptoms in the eyes and nose, the impact of individual background factors—such as transportation mode and work environment—and the efficacy of eyewash interventions remain insufficiently understood. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of background factors, including transportation mode (motorcycle vs. car) and work environment (outdoor vs. indoor), on subjective ocular and nasal symptoms among commuters in Bandung, and to evaluate the clinical efficacy of an eyewash intervention. This was an investigator-initiated, single-center, participant- and assessor-blinded, parallel-group, non-randomized controlled trial. Thirty commuters in Bandung (mean age 33.7 ± 9.6 years; 21 males, 9 females; 15 motorcycle commuters, 15 car commuters) were enrolled. Subjective ocular (8 items) and nasal (4 items) symptoms were assessed. Baseline scores were compared after stratification by transportation mode and work environment. Subsequently, an intervention using a commercially available eyewash solution was performed, and pre- and post-intervention changes in symptoms were statistically analyzed. Univariate analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were conducted using the total clinical scores for eye and nose as dependent variables and background factors (sex, age, work environment, smoking habit, commute duration, and transportation mode) as independent variables to identify independent predictors of symptoms. Multiple regression analysis revealed that motorcycle use was the sole independent and significant predictor of increased ocular symptom scores (p < 0.01). Furthermore, outdoor workers exhibited significantly higher baseline ocular symptoms compared to indoor workers (p = 0.01). Following the eyewash intervention, total clinical scores for both ocular and nasal symptoms improved significantly in both motorcycle and car commuters (all p < 0.05). Particulate matter was detected in the post-intervention eyewash solution of all participants. Motorcycle commuting was associated with higher ocular symptom burden in this small urban cohort. Eyewashing was associated with short-term improvement in subjective ocular and nasal discomfort. These findings suggest that eyewashing may serve as a supplementary personal care measure for symptom relief in individuals exposed to urban air pollution; however, further studies with larger, controlled designs are required to confirm its effectiveness and clinical utility.