Objective:
The objective of this review will be to determine the association between exposure to artificial sources of ultraviolet radiation and ocular diseases in humans.
Introduction:
Numerous studies have established the association between natural ultraviolet radiation and ocular diseases in humans. However, the evidence for the association between artificial sources of ultraviolet radiation and ocular diseases in humans has not been reviewed.
Inclusion criteria:
The proposed review will include studies with participants of any age and gender and documented exposure to artificial sources of ultraviolet radiation and incidence of ocular diseases.
Methods:
Databases including PubMed and Embase will be searched. Study selection and full-text screening will be done by two independent reviewers. The search results will be presented in a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) flow diagram. Critical appraisal of the eligible studies for methodological quality will be conducted using JBI checklists. All studies, regardless of their methodological quality, will undergo data extraction and synthesis using standardized data extraction tools. Quantitative papers will, where possible, be pooled in statistical meta-analysis. Heterogeneity will be assessed statistically using the standard chi-square, and also explored using relevant subgroup analyses based on the different quantitative study designs included in this review. Where statistical pooling is not possible, the findings will be presented in narrative form including tables and figures.
Systematic review registration number:
PROSPERO CRD42019129372
Correspondence: Manickam Ponnaiah, manickam@nie.gov.in
PCR, MP, and DA investigated outbreaks of ocular disease attributed to artificial sources of ultraviolet radiation, which could be perceived as a conflict of interest; however, such investigations prompted the systematic review. There could be potential inclusion of the published outbreak by PCR, MP, and DA. DJ declares no conflict of interest.
© 2020 Joanna Briggs Institute.