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How air pollution affects the eyes — a review
Affiliations- Students Scientific Association of General Ophthalmology Clinic with Unit of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, Poland
- Department of General Ophthalmology and Pediatric Ophthalmology Service, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Lublin, Poland
- European School for Advanced Studies in Ophthalmology, Lugano, Switzerland
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Abstract
The aim of this study is to present scientific reports concerning the influence of air pollution on eyes. Air pollution
is nowadays a common problem. The most significant pollutants are carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide
(NO2), ozone (O3), sulphur dioxide (SO2), particulate matters — PM10 and PM2.5. The main source of toxins in the
air are cars, burning of the fuels and burning of the charcoal in household stoves. Most attention is paid to negative
effects of air pollution on respiratory system, such as asthma and lung cancer, however, it is worth remembering that
influence on the eyes is equally important. Children are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution.
Anterior segment of the eye is the most exposed. Substances, which are part of the smog have an irritating effect
on the surface of the eye, cause disturbances in the tear film and an inflammation. Medical conditions associated
with increased air pollution are mainly eye irritation, conjunctivitis, dry eye syndrome (DES), meibomian gland
dysfunction (MGB) and blepharitis.
Abstract
The aim of this study is to present scientific reports concerning the influence of air pollution on eyes. Air pollution
is nowadays a common problem. The most significant pollutants are carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide
(NO2), ozone (O3), sulphur dioxide (SO2), particulate matters — PM10 and PM2.5. The main source of toxins in the
air are cars, burning of the fuels and burning of the charcoal in household stoves. Most attention is paid to negative
effects of air pollution on respiratory system, such as asthma and lung cancer, however, it is worth remembering that
influence on the eyes is equally important. Children are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution.
Anterior segment of the eye is the most exposed. Substances, which are part of the smog have an irritating effect
on the surface of the eye, cause disturbances in the tear film and an inflammation. Medical conditions associated
with increased air pollution are mainly eye irritation, conjunctivitis, dry eye syndrome (DES), meibomian gland
dysfunction (MGB) and blepharitis.
Keywords
ophthalmology; smog; air pollution; conjunctivitis
About this articleTitle
How air pollution affects the eyes — a review
Journal
Issue
Article type
Review paper
Pages
58-62
Published online
2018-11-29
Page views
3067
Article views/downloads
2276
DOI
Bibliographic record
Ophthalmol J 2018;3(2):58-62.
Keywords
ophthalmology
smog
air pollution
conjunctivitis
Authors
Paulina Łatka
Dominika Nowakowska
Katarzyna Nowomiejska
Robert Rejdak
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