When we think about pollution and especially the effects of climate change, it is hard to think about. The eyes. Yet these “windows” on the outside world are affected. Environmental conditions. This is confirmed by an analysis published in Clinical Ophthalmology, coordinated by Professor Jennifer Patnaik of the University of Colorado.
Pollution doubles the risks of outpatient visits.
Adds a piece of knowledge on the relationship between research Eye health and the environment. The investigators examined the association between ocular surface irritation and related daily office visits. Allergy with daily PM (airborne particulate matter) levels in the Denver metro area. Specifically, the concentration of 10 p.m And PM refers to particles 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter. A total of 144,313 visits for ocular surface irritation and allergy to specialty centers were analyzed during the entire analysis period.
The result Daily seizures more than doubled (2.2-fold increase) in the presence of high concentrations of PM10 (about 110). That’s not it. There is a direct relationship between Increased eye examination Ed Increase in daily amount of pollution.
gave Conjunctivitis Eye disease was the second most common disease during this visit. On average, one in three controls was associated with this pathology. Obviously Forms of allergywere particularly frequent, regardless of the seasons, attesting to the growing trend of these paintings being found globally. External factors that appear to be associated with this observation include changes in temperature, humidity and air pollution.
What happens in case of dry eye?
Dry eye is associated with changes in the tear film that damage the surface of the eye associated with eye discomfort symptoms. The tear film is a thin liquid film, arranged on the surface of the eye, made up of 3 layers:
- Lipid, the outermost that prevents evaporation.
- Water, often, contains oxygen, nutrients and protective substances.
- Mucous, innermost, in contact with the cornea.
Thanks to the tear film, the eye becomes lubricated, due to its presence also due to blinking Tear film which self-lubricates the surface. Blinking determines the regular distribution of tears to form an optically uniform surface. Additionally, the “film” defends the eye by washing and removing waste materials and preventing germs from spreading and taking root.
The alteration of the tear film responsible for “dry eye” may be quantitative due to a lack of water content (ipolacrimia) or ability (Dyscreamia) for changes in one of three components (aqueous, lipid, mucosa) and for mechanical changes (eyelids, blinking, ocular surface irregularities, contact lenses, hypoesthesia).
The most frequent symptoms are: burning, foreign body sensation, visual disturbances, photophobia, heaviness, pain, eye fatigue. between the Risk factors The climate and the air you breathe also play an important role. Excessive exposure to air conditioning, dry climates, smog and cigarette smoke can worsen the condition.
How important is air quality for health?
The study, experts say, highlights the systemic impact on people’s health.Climate stressincluding air quality, wildfires, temperature and drought conditions. And above all it sheds light on how Particles May affect eye health and beyond. Recently it has emerged how to reduce the risk of growth and development. Pathologies of the skinEspecially in atopic dermatitis, there is a need for environmental policy strategies that limit the use of fossil fuels, promote sustainable land management practices by reducing the amount of air pollution, and install air filtering devices in indoor environments. provide
Several studies have actually demonstrated a connection between not only that. Climate change and the rise of atopic dermatitisbut also between environmental pollution and increased pathology. Additionally, the increasing trend of air pollution, mainly due to the increase in motor vehicles and the use of coal for power generation, affects human health from before birth.
In general, in short, any environmental factor influences the development of chronic diseases in an individual, both during conception and throughout pregnancy.
From a conceptual perspective we are no longer talking. Environmental causesbut of The husbanda term initially used only in relation to tumor growth, but which today also refers to the field of allergy and which was introduced a few years ago to denote the sum total of non-genetic environmental exposures that An individual is a target, and from environmental influences to viruses, from pollution to climate change.
