Many studies have been conducted on the effects of climate change on your body. Your eyes are particularly vulnerable, due to their fragile structure and constant exposure to the environment. Here, your trusted Brooklyn eye specialist explains how these changes affect your visual health.
1. Low Humidity and Increasing Temperature May Increase Your Risk of Developing Dry Eyes
The rising environmental temperature may result in low humidity and drier air. These changes may cause moisture in your eyes to evaporate at a faster rate than usual, leading to dry eyes and other similar desiccating eye syndromes. We may recommend applying tear drops to enhance your visual comfort.
2. Increase in Airborne Pollutants May Lead to More Cases of Eye Allergies and Irritations
The rampant use of fire in crop clearing produces a toxic mix of allergens and pollutants in the air, which can cause frequent eye irritations and exacerbation of ocular hypersensitivity reactions. The Vice Chair for Research at the Wilmer Eye Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Sheila West, actually conducted a study about the consequences of constant fire exposure on the eyes. The results reveal that women who use charcoal or wood for cooking are at a greater risk of developing trachoma, a contagious eye infection which causes corneal scarring.
As your trusted eye care clinic, we suggest having regular eye exams so we can constantly monitor your eyes for any irregularities. We also advise wearing a face mask and checking the pollen count in your area before going outside.
3. Ozone Deterioration May Result in Severe UV-Induced Vision Problems
Solar rays are mostly absorbed by the ozone layer to prevent harmful UV radiation from reaching the Earth. Due to the ozone layer’s rapid depletion, higher rates or more severe cases of UV-related eye conditions are expected. UVA rays are linked to eye sunburns, while UVB rays are positively associated with cataract formation. This is why we recommend wearing sunglasses that provide 100% UVA and UVB blocking features as part of your eye care management.
For more information about the effects of climate change on your visual health, call us at (347) 380-7070 or complete our form. You may also send us a message to schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping families in Brooklyn and nearby New York areas have a better understanding of their visual health.
