Glaucoma may have link to air pollution, says study

AIR POLLUTION could be linked to a higher risk of glaucoma, according to a new study.

Scientists observed that living in a more polluted area was associated with a greater likelihood of having the debilitating eye condition that can cause blindness. The research team found that people in the most-polluted 25 per cent of areas were at least six per cent more likely to report having glaucoma than those in the least-polluted group.

They were also significantly more likely to have a thinner retina, one of the changes typical of glaucoma progression.

Experts suggest particulates may damage the nervous system and contribute to inflammation.

According to the study published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, eye pressure was not associated with air pollution. The researchers say this suggests air pollution may affect glaucoma risk through a different mechanism.

Lead author Professor Paul Foster, of University College London’s Institute of Ophthalmology, said: “We have found yet another reason why air pollution should be addressed as a public health priority and that avoiding sources of air pollution could be worthwhile for eye health alongside other health concerns.

“While we cannot confirm yet that the association is causal, we hope to continue our research to determine whether air pollution does indeed cause glaucoma, and to find out if there are any avoidance strategies that could help people reduce their exposure to air pollution to mitigate the health risks.”

The study’s first author, Dr Sharon Chua of Moorfields Eye Hospital, said: “Air pollution may be contributing to glaucoma due to the constriction of blood vessels, which ties into air pollution’s links to an increased risk of heart problems.”