A review of 41 studies found a link between air pollution and two eye conditions: glaucoma and cataracts. The studies involved millions of people across East Asia and the United Kingdom. Although getting older increases the risk of both conditions, the findings suggest that exposure to polluted air may also play a role.
Glaucoma harms the nerve that sends signals from the eye to the brain. It can lead to permanent vision loss. Cataracts develop when the eye's lens becomes cloudy, making vision less clear and potentially leading to blindness. The strongest pollution links involved PM2.5, tiny airborne particles measuring 2.5 micrometers or less. Higher exposure was associated with a greater risk of both conditions.
Most studies estimated long-term pollution exposure around people's homes and communities, using monitoring systems, satellite information, or computer models. However, these were observational studies: researchers examined patterns rather than testing whether pollution directly caused disease. The results therefore show a connection, not proof of cause and effect. Links involving other pollutants were less consistent.
