Updated September 13, 2026 By Justin Bazan

Reviewed for accuracy by Justin Bazan, OD on September 14, 2026.

Your eyes are directly exposed to the environment, so changes in air quality, humidity, temperature, pollen, smoke, and ultraviolet (UV) light can affect how they feel.

The connection is more nuanced than the original 2017 version of this article suggested. Climate change does not simply mean “the ozone layer is disappearing,” and it would be too broad to say climate change itself directly causes a particular eye disease. A more useful way to think about the issue is that climate and weather can influence environmental exposures — including wildfire smoke, pollen seasons, heat, dryness, and air pollution — that may affect the ocular surface and eye comfort.

Wildfire smoke and air pollution can irritate the eyes

Wildfire smoke contains gases and fine particles that can travel far from the fire itself. The CDC notes that wildfire smoke can cause stinging and irritated eyes as well as respiratory symptoms.

More broadly, a 2025 systematic review of particulate matter and ocular-surface disease found that clinical studies have linked air-pollution exposure with symptoms such as itching, burning, and irritation and with conditions including dry eye, conjunctivitis, and allergic eye disease. Research in this area continues to evolve, so an association should not be interpreted to mean that every episode of irritation is caused by pollution.

If smoke or poor air quality is bothering your eyes, reasonable steps can include:

reducing outdoor exposure when air quality is poor;
keeping windows closed when smoke is significant;
using preservative-free artificial tears if they are appropriate for you; and
avoiding unnecessary eye rubbing.

Contact-lens wear can become less comfortable when the ocular surface is irritated. If your lenses are uncomfortable during a smoke or pollution event, switching temporarily to glasses may be more comfortable until your eyes settle.

Heat, low humidity, and dry air can worsen dry-eye symptoms

The tear film covering the front of the eye is affected by the surrounding environment. Dry or windy conditions can increase tear evaporation, and studies of weather and ocular-surface disease have found that low humidity and high temperatures can aggravate dry-eye symptoms in some people.

That does not mean everyone needs the same treatment. Dry eye can involve tear evaporation, eyelid and meibomian-gland function, inflammation, medications, contact-lens wear, environmental exposure, or several factors at once.

At Park Slope Eye, dry-eye care may include artificial tears, eyelid hygiene or cleansers, prescription eye drops, and punctal plugs when appropriate. We do not currently offer in-office procedural dry-eye treatments such as IPL or thermal pulsation.

Learn more about dry-eye care at Park Slope Eye.

Longer or more intense pollen seasons can mean more allergy symptoms

Climate change can influence when plants flower and how long pollen seasons last. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has documented longer ragweed pollen seasons at many North American monitoring locations and notes that warmer conditions and higher carbon-dioxide concentrations can contribute to longer or more intense pollen exposure.

For people who are sensitive to pollen, that can mean more opportunities for itchy, watery, red eyes during allergy season.

Eye allergy symptoms can overlap with dry eye and other ocular-surface problems, so persistent symptoms are worth discussing during an eye examination rather than assuming every red or itchy eye is simply an allergy.

UV protection still matters — but climate change and ozone depletion are not the same thing

The original version of this article incorrectly treated climate change as if it directly caused rapid ozone-layer deterioration. They are related atmospheric issues, but they are not the same process.

Regardless of climate trends, protecting your eyes from ultraviolet radiation is a good habit. The National Eye Institute recommends sunglasses that block 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB radiation. A hat with a brim can provide additional protection.

Long-term UV exposure is associated with several eye and eyelid problems, including cataracts and growths on the ocular surface such as pterygium.

What should you do if the environment is bothering your eyes?

Environmental irritation is often temporary, but the right response depends on the symptoms and the cause. Consider an eye examination if symptoms keep returning, interfere with contact-lens wear, or do not improve with simple measures.

Pain, a significant change in vision, marked light sensitivity, or an eye injury should not be assumed to be ordinary dry eye or allergy symptoms and may need more urgent evaluation.

At Park Slope Eye, a comprehensive eye exam can help distinguish among dry eye, allergy, contact-lens problems, and other causes of irritation. Learn more about eye exams.

Sources used for this 2026 update

Originally published August 7, 2017. Substantially updated September 13, 2026.

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