How The Environment & Climate Change Affect Eye Health

Published on 05/05/2025
how the environment climate change affect eye health

Our eyes are highly sensitive to changes in the environment and the climate. That’s why optometrists nationwide are noticing a rise in specific eye diagnoses that negatively impact vision health. The Journal of Climate Change and Health notes:

Extremes in temperature and weather events have been observed to affect the ocular surface, resulting in an increased incidence of conjunctivitis, keratitis, dry eye disease, and pterygium. Furthermore, climate change is linked to a rising occurrence of cataracts, glaucoma, periocular tumors, and infections.

Environmental Pollutants & Changes in Weather Patterns Negatively Impact Your Eyes

These changes are documented by scientific data from around the globe, and optometrists and ophthalmologists are concerned. Visiting your optometrist annually for comprehensive eye exams and taking the precautions we’ll outline below are two essential steps to protect your eyes and vision health.

Common Eye Conditions Caused Or Exacerbated By Climate Change

There are several ways in which environmental pollutants and climate change impact eye health. 

  • Any pollutants or irritants in the environment pose an irritant risk to the eyes or long-term toxicity. The result can be more frequent eye infections or an increased development or progression of certain eye conditions.
  • The reduction in the ozone layer, which protects us from harmful UV rays, means our eyes are at higher risk for UV-related damage (pterygium, pinguecula, cataracts, etc.).
  • Changes in weather patterns and rising temperatures make seasonal allergies more of a year-round event in many areas, increasing eye irritation and the potential for infection.

These and other factors are worth paying attention to so you can protect your eyes and the eyes of those you love.

Some of the eye conditions affected by the environment and changes in climate or weather patterns include:

Eye irritation and infection 

Any chronic irritation or inflammation in the eyes or the body weakens the immune system, and that puts you at risk for illness, infections, or exacerbated symptoms of existing diseases. 

As we mentioned above, these changes have also escalated the pollen count because things are now blooming for longer periods or in seasons when the body used to get a break. Since allergies affect the eyes, increases in allergy-related conjunctivitis are noticeable.

You can help soothe and relieve your eyes by:

  • Flushing the eyes with filtered or distilled water.
  • Using lubricating eye drops to hydrate, flush, and relieve eyes (we recommend using pure, additive-free lubricating eye drops).
  • Getting plenty of rest, as sleep helps the eyes to cleanse, refresh, and heal.
  • Giving your eyes a break from contacts whenever they feel tired or irritated.

Keratitis

Chronic inflammation also plays a role in keratitis, when the cornea becomes inflamed. While an eye infection can cause keratitis, you are also more susceptible to developing it from wearing contacts for too long, having something lodged in your eye for too long, or from constant exposure to environmental pollutants and toxins. 

Contaminated water is also a cause of keratitis, so a whole-home water filtration system can be helpful if you don’t trust your water source. Likewise, take care when swimming in bodies of water known to be polluted.

Pterygium and pinguecula

Both pterygium and pingecula are directly related to overexposure to the sun, resulting in UV damage to the eyes. 

A pinguecula is a visible accumulation of excess fat and protein tissues occurring in the white portion of the eye (the sclera). It causes irritation, and if it grows large enough, a pinguecula can affect the eye’s tear production and drainage. Over time, pinguecula develops into a condition called pterygium. These fatty/protein deposits grow on the sclera and extend onto the cornea (the clear, front portion of the eye) and can block the pupil, leading to vision loss.

Cataracts

Cataracts can develop for various reasons and are a common age-related cause of vision loss. They occur when the natural, clear lens inside the eye becomes cloudy, impairing vision, which can lead to complete blindness. While cataract surgery is a straightforward and highly successful procedure, it’s always best to prevent or slow their onset and development.

Excess UV exposure can expedite the growth of cataracts. Climate change is causing cataracts to form in younger and younger patients, so using hats and UV-resistant sunglasses is essential whenever you’re working or playing outside.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

As the name suggests, age-related macular degeneration is also more prevalent in adults 65 years old and older. However, the condition can occur earlier or develop faster in patients with longer or closer exposure to pollutants and toxins or who haven’t used proper UV protection outdoors. 

Glaucoma

While there is a genetic form of glaucoma that can affect the pediatric population, you’re most likely to be diagnosed with glaucoma after your 40th birthday. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of significant vision loss and cannot be corrected, so early diagnosis is key to slowing down its development.

Unfortunately, like AMD, there are rising cases of glaucoma in the younger adult population, and environmental and climate changes are playing a role in the escalation of diagnoses.

Accidents leading to eye trauma

Accidents leading to eye trauma can also be related to climate change, especially as we see a rise in catastrophic events like rampant wildfires, persistent drought that elevates debris and particulates in the wind and air, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc. 

Protect Your Eyes And Stay In Touch With Eye to Eye For Routine Exams

You can do several things to protect your eyes from environmental and climate change threats that affect eye health.

Live a healthy lifestyle. As we mentioned before, chronic inflammation and existing disease make you more susceptible to eye conditions that cause vision loss. By eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, establishing healthy sleep habits, and reducing stress, you create a healthy foundation that makes your body more able to weather the storms (pun intended).

Using proper eye protection when working outside, including hats and UV-resistant lenses, can also go a long way towards preventing some of the most common eye conditions leading to vision loss.

Finally, stay in touch with us here at Eye to Eye Family Vision Care. We’ll make sure to remind you when you’re due for your annual eye exam. Book an eye exam with us to ensure you’re doing everything you can to protect yourself and those you love from environmental and climate-related changes that negatively impact the eyes.