THE ESSENTIAL
- Consultations from patients suffering from eye conditions more than doubled during peak air pollution particles.
- For PM10, the clinic visit rate ratio increased as daily concentrations increased.
- Researchers conclude that there is a possible association between climate change, increased pollution and eye health.
Climate change is “the greatest threat to the health of humanity”, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). After this statement, Jennifer Patnaik, assistant professor of epidemiology and ophthalmology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, wondered what impact climate change-related air pollution might have on eye health.
His work published in the journal, Clinical Ophthalmologyshow that exposure to fine particles, closely linked to climate change, does indeed affect the eyes.
Eyes: the increase in fine particle levels increases ophthalmic consultations
The lead author and her team collected records of daily office visits related to eye conditions as well as daily levels of suspended particles (PM10 and PM2.5) in the Denver metropolitan area between October 2015 and January 2023 The researchers thus identified 144,313 consultations for ocular surface conditions and allergies in ophthalmological clinics during the period studied.
Their analyzes showed that the number of daily visits was 2.2 times higher than average when PM10 concentrations were 110 μg/m3. In addition, the consultation ratio increased as the concentrations of this pollutant increased. For comparison, the air quality objective in France is a daily average of PM10 of 50 µg/m3not to exceed more than 35 days per year.
“Similarly, visitation rates progressed as daily PM2.5 concentration increased, but this gradient effect was not significantly higher as concentration increased”add the scientists in the article.
Dry eye, conjunctivitis: eye disorders favored by climate change
The main reasons for consultations at eye clinics during air pollution peaks were dry eyes (67,510 visits) and conjunctivitis (47,093 visits).
“The prevalence of ocular allergic conjunctivitis has increased worldwide and varies from region to region. Socioeconomic and environmental factors such as temperature, humidity and air pollution have been proposed as reasons for the increase”specify the researchers in their press release.
For them there is no doubt, their work highlights an association between climate change and eye diseases. Fine particles not only affect respiratory or cardiovascular health, they also have a direct impact on the eyes.
“This study highlights the systemic health impacts of climate stressors, including air quality, wildfires, temperature and drought conditions, and the continued need for transdisciplinary research”underlines Professor Katherine James who worked on this research. The team plans to conduct new studies on the subject in order to identify preventive strategies or even new treatment protocols. “to respond to these environmental influences”.
