Recent research indicates a significant link between air pollution and ocular health, as patient visits for eye surface conditions surged during periods of elevated particulate matter.
Recent research indicates a significant link between air pollution and ocular health, as patient visits for eye surface conditions surged during periods of elevated particulate matter.
This study, published on Wednesday in the journal Clinical Ophthalmology, is one of the first to investigate the effects of climate change on eye health.
“The World Health Organization has labeled climate change as ‘the single most significant health threat facing humanity,'” stated Jennifer Patnaik, PhD, MHS, the study’s lead author and an assistant professor of epidemiology and ophthalmology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. “However, there is a lack of research focusing on how air pollution related to climate change impacts eye health.”
The research team, including Associate Professor Katherine James, PhD, who leads the Climate & Human Health program at the Colorado School of Public Health, looked into the relationship between eye irritation and allergy-related outpatient visits and daily levels of ambient particulate matter (PM) in the Denver area.
They analyzed data regarding PM concentrations, specifically those measuring 10 micrometers or smaller, and 2.5 micrometers or smaller. During their research period, they recorded 144,313 visits to eye clinics for issues related to ocular surface irritation and allergies. The daily count of clinic visits was found to be 2.2 times higher than the average when PM10 readings reached 110, with the visit rate rising alongside the daily concentration levels.
The study revealed that conjunctivitis was the second most frequently diagnosed eye condition, accounting for precisely one-third of all visits. The occurrence of allergic conjunctivitis has been rising globally and varies by region, with factors including socioeconomic status, temperature, humidity, and air pollution being implicated in this trend.
Patnaik elaborated on the extensive health risks linked to air pollution and climate change, which encompass a wide array of health issues, such as infectious diseases, weather-related health problems, and various conditions affecting the lungs, kidneys, and heart.
“Chronic diseases that are less frequently studied, like dementia, have also been connected to temperature and air pollution,” she noted. “Research into ocular conditions related to climate is still in its infancy, meaning there is a pressing need for more studies to fully grasp how climate and pollutants impact eye health.”
James concurred, emphasizing the need for ongoing research.
“This study underscores the extensive health consequences of climate-related stressors including air quality, wildfires, temperature fluctuations, and drought, while highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary research,” she stated.
Senior author Malik Kahook, MD, a professor of ophthalmology at CU School of Medicine, expressed hope to further develop these initial findings.
“Our results pave the way for a better understanding of how environmental factors influence eye health. Clinically, there is growing evidence that particulate matter in the air doesn’t just affect respiratory or cardiovascular systems; it also has a direct impact on the health of the ocular surface,” Kahook explained. “Our future research will explore how other pollutants might affect eye health, expanding our investigations beyond Colorado. This will help us pinpoint preventive strategies and develop new treatment protocols tailored to mitigate these environmental effects, ultimately safeguarding the most vulnerable populations living in polluted areas.”
Amy Dye-Robinson from the Department of Biostatistics & Informatics at CU Anschutz also contributed to the study.
