AIM:To investigate the relationship between pinguecula and the use of tandoor ovens.METHODS:A total of 539 women, ranging in age from 20 to 86y who attended an outpatient clinic were enrolled. All the patients were asked whether they used tandoor ovens. Women exposed to tandoor ovens (n=286) were accepted as participants in the study group and they were compared with participants in the control group (n=253). The age, presence of pinguecula, duration of exposure to tandoor ovens as years and occupations were recorded for all the subjects.RESULTS:Mean duration for exposure to tandoor was 20.26y (range 1-62y) in the study group. The rate of pinguecula in the study group was 82.2% (235/286), and the rate in the control group was 37.5% (95/253); this difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Pinguecula was seen in 61.2% (330/539) of all the participants.CONCLUSION:Pinguecula is strongly associated with exposure to tandoor ovens.