TY - JOUR T1 - Conjunctival ultraviolet autofluorescence area decreases with age and sunglasses use JF - British Journal of Ophthalmology JO - Br J Ophthalmol DO - 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2021-320284 SP - bjophthalmol-2021-320284 AU - Gareth Lingham AU - Jason Kugelman AU - Jason Charng AU - Samantha SY Lee AU - Seyhan Yazar AU - Charlotte M McKnight AU - Minas T Coroneo AU - Robyn M Lucas AU - Holly Brown AU - Louis J Stevenson AU - David A Mackey AU - David Alonso-Caneiro Y1 - 2021/11/23 UR - http://bjo.bmj.com/content/early/2021/11/23/bjophthalmol-2021-320284.abstract N2 - Background Conjunctival ultraviolet autofluorescence (CUVAF) is a method of detecting conjunctival damage related to ultraviolet radiation exposure. In cross-sectional studies, CUVAF area is positively associated with self-reported time spent outdoors and pterygium and negatively associated with myopia; however, longitudinal studies are scarce.Aims To use a novel deep learning-based tool to assess 8-year change in CUVAF area in young adults, investigate factors associated with this change and identify the number of new onset pterygia.Methods A deep learning-based CUVAF tool was developed to measure CUVAF area. CUVAF area and pterygium status were assessed at three study visits: baseline (participants were approximately 20 years old) and at 7-year and 8-year follow-ups. Participants self-reported sun protection behaviours and ocular history.Results CUVAF data were available for 1497 participants from at least one study visit; 633 (43%) participants had complete CUVAF data. Mean CUVAF areas at baseline and the 7-year and 8-year follow-ups were 48.4, 39.3 and 37.7 mm2, respectively. There was a decrease in mean CUVAF area over time (change in total CUVAF area=−0.96 mm2 per year (95% CI: −1.07 to –0.86)). For participants who wore sunglasses ≥1/2 of the time, CUVAF area decreased by an additional −0.42 mm2 per year (95% CI: −0.72 to –0.12) on average. Fourteen (1.5%) participants developed a pterygium.Conclusions In this young adult cohort, CUVAF area declined over an 8-year period. Wearing sunglasses was associated with a faster reduction in CUVAF area. Deep learning-based models can assist in accurate and efficient measurement of CUVAF area.Data may be obtained from a third party and are not publicly available. Not applicable. ER -