The impact of the first United Kingdom COVID-19 lockdown on environmental air pollution, digital display device use and ocular surface disease symptomatology amongst shielding patients

Abstract

Worldwide lockdown reduced air pollution during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. The relationship between exposure to ambient air pollution, digital display device use and dry eye symptoms amongst patients with severe ocular surface disease (OSD) were considered. Symptoms and air pollutant concentrations for three different time periods (pre, during and post COVID-19 lockdown) were analysed in 35 OSD patients who achieved an immunosuppression risk-stratification score > 3 fulfilling the UK Government criteria for 12-week shielding. OSDI symptoms questionnaire, residential postcode air pollution data obtained from the Defra Automated Urban and Rural monitoring network for concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM) with diameters below 10 µm and 2.5 µm, and English Indices of Deprivation were analysed. Significant reductions in NO2 and NOx concentrations were observed between pre- and during-lockdown periods, followed by a reversal in the post-lockdown period. Changes were linked to the Living Environment outdoor decile. A 12% increase (p = 0.381) in symptomatology during-lockdown was observed that reversed post-lockdown by 19% (p = 0.144). OSDI scores were significantly correlated with hours spent on digital devices (r2 = 0.243) but not with air pollutant concentrations. Lockdown measures reduced ambient air pollutants whilst OSD symptomatology persisted. Environmental factors such as increased time indoors and use of bluescreen digital devices may have partly played a role.