Climate Change and Eye Health: Understanding the Risks
Alka Kamble, a farmworker from Jambhali village in India’s Maharashtra state, experienced blurred vision in one of her eyes for five months in 2017. However, she couldn’t afford to consult an ophthalmologist due to financial constraints and long working hours.
It was only when she came across a flyer for a free eye check-up clinic near her home that Kamble sought medical help. The doctor at the clinic diagnosed her with cataracts, attributing her deteriorating eyesight to overexposure to solar radiation from working long hours in the scorching heat without adequate protection.
Climate change, with its increasing heat waves and rising temperatures, is now recognized as a significant factor contributing to eye disorders such as cataracts. Research has shown that prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to heatstroke, which in turn damages the natural defense systems in the eyes, making them more vulnerable to conditions like cataracts.
Studies conducted in regions experiencing temperature rises have shown a direct correlation between hotter climates and an increased incidence of cataracts. In addition to cataracts, other eye conditions like keratitis, pterygium, and conjunctivitis are also on the rise due to climate change-related factors such as longer pollen seasons and increased mold growth.
Protecting the eyes from climate-driven damage is crucial, especially for outdoor workers like Kamble. Recommendations include providing sufficient shade, taking frequent breaks, wearing UV-filter sunglasses, and consuming foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E to maintain eye health.
Efforts to address the impact of climate change on eye health are underway, with programs like India’s National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment providing access to affordable cataract surgeries for those in need.
As the effects of climate change continue to manifest in various ways, it is essential to raise awareness about the risks it poses to eye health and take proactive measures to protect our vision for the future.
This article was originally published by Knowable Magazine. Read the original article.
