The Impact of Climate Change on Global Eye Health

Rickvir Sidhu and Arrane Selvamogan

Introduction

Climate change is profoundly influencing global eye health by exacerbating the incidence and distribution of both infectious and non-infectious eye diseases. This occurs primarily through mechanisms such as rising temperatures, heightened air pollution, and more frequent extreme weather events (1-3). These environmental shifts not only alter disease patterns but also impose significant economic burdens, particularly in resource-constrained settings (1). As global temperatures continue to rise, projections indicate a sustained increase in disease burden through 2050, underscoring the urgency of addressing these impacts (3). This article explores the specific eye diseases affected, vulnerable populations, challenges in prevention and management, and effective interventions, drawing on epidemiological and public health evidence.

Climate-Related Eye Diseases

Among the eye conditions most impacted by climate change, dry eye disease stands out with the greatest increase in incidence, particularly in populations exposed to high temperatures, low humidity, and air pollution (4-6). This is especially pronounced in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), outdoor workers, and residents of arid or high-pollution regions (4). Allergic conjunctivitis and ocular surface irritation have also risen, with elevated outpatient visits linked to ambient particulate matter, notably during sand and dust storms or in urban areas with poor air quality (6,7). Cataract incidence is climbing due to increased ultraviolet (UV) radiation and pollution, disproportionately affecting the elderly and outdoor workers in high solar exposure areas (8,9). Similarly, pterygium prevalence is higher in arid and semi-arid regions from chronic UV exposure and dust, impacting rural and outdoor populations (1,4). Uveitis shows increased visits associated with temperature extremes and high PM2.5 levels, with stronger effects in males under 60 in urban Asian contexts (10). Infectious eye diseases, including trachoma and fungal keratitis, persist in LMICs, where altered rainfall, temperature, and sanitation challenges amplify transmission (1,11,12). Overall, these conditions exhibit the most notable climate-driven increases (1,4-12).

Vulnerable Populations

Certain populations bear a disproportionate burden from these climate-related eye health issues. Residents of LMICs, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Latin America, face elevated risks of infectious diseases like trachoma and fungal keratitis due to poverty, inadequate water and sanitation, and limited healthcare infrastructure (7,11,13,14). Children and women are particularly susceptible, influenced by biological factors and social roles such as caregiving, which heighten exposure and restrict care access (11,14). The elderly are more vulnerable to non-infectious conditions, such as cataracts and pterygium, which are exacerbated by prolonged exposure to UV radiation and air pollution (4,12). Similarly, outdoor workers, including agricultural labourers, encounter risks from heat, dust, and trauma, leading to higher rates of infectious keratitis and ocular surface disorders (13,4). Populations in arid or high-pollution areas experience amplified dry eye and conjunctivitis from dust storms and poor air quality, whilst urban dwellers in polluted environments similarly report increased dry eye and conjunctivitis (1,14,4). These vulnerabilities are further compounded by socioeconomic disadvantages, climate-induced displacement, and limited access to eye care, which exacerbate the burden of climate-driven eye diseases across these groups (1,14,15).

Challenges for Prevention and Management

Preventing, diagnosing, and managing these climate-related eye diseases present substantial challenges. Prevention requires public health strategies targeting modifiable factors like air quality and UV protection, yet implementation is hindered in resource-limited settings (1). Diagnosis is complicated by evolving disease patterns and the spread of climate-sensitive infections to new areas, demanding enhanced surveillance and clinician training (12). Management faces inequities in ophthalmic care access, particularly in high-burden regions with scarce surgical or medical resources (3). The growing demand for eye services strains healthcare systems, calling for sustainable and equitable delivery models (16). These obstacles are amplified in vulnerable groups, where limited infrastructure exacerbates disparities (15).

Interventions and Future Directions

To effectively counter the rising burden of climate-related eye diseases, a suite of targeted interventions has been developed to protect vulnerable populations through integrated medical, environmental, and policy strategies. For infectious diseases such as trachoma and onchocerciasis, mass drug administration—utilising azithromycin for trachoma and ivermectin for onchocerciasis—paired with the SAFE strategy (Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, Environmental improvement) has demonstrated significant success in reducing disease prevalence, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) (17,18). Similarly, vitamin A supplementation effectively addresses xerophthalmia in children with nutritional deficiencies, bolstering ocular health in at-risk communities (17). To mitigate non-infectious conditions like cataracts, UV protection strategies, including the use of sunglasses, broad-brimmed hats, and sunlight avoidance, are critical for rural populations and outdoor workers; however, their success hinges on affordable access to protective equipment and robust community education efforts (19,20). On a broader scale, environmental and policy interventions, such as enhancing air quality, promoting urban greening, and reducing fossil fuel emissions, substantially lower the incidence of ocular surface diseases and allergic conjunctivitis, yielding particular benefits for children and urban residents (4,21,1). Furthermore, embedding eye care within universal health coverage frameworks ensures equitable access to essential ophthalmic services, addressing systemic disparities in LMICs (18). Complementary outreach and teleophthalmology programs expand screening and treatment for conditions like cataracts, significantly improving outcomes for women, rural residents, and the elderly in resource-constrained settings (18,20). Additionally, school-based vision screening initiatives, coupled with spectacle provision, offer a practical approach to addressing visual impairments in children, especially when integrated into comprehensive health-promoting school frameworks (22). Collectively, these interventions provide the most effective means to reduce the incidence of climate-driven eye diseases across diverse populations (4,17-22,1).

Conclusion

Climate change has significant and growing implications for global eye health, influencing both the incidence and distribution of ocular diseases. Populations already facing social and economic disadvantage bear the greatest burden. Addressing these challenges requires integrated environmental, clinical, and policy interventions that strengthen healthcare systems and prioritise vulnerable groups. Incorporating eye health into climate adaptation and sustainable health strategies is essential to prevent avoidable vision loss in the decades ahead.

References

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This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. Sujay Nataraja January 31, 2026 Reply

    Climate change is one of the greatest global challenges facing healthcare, yet its clinical consequences are often underexplored in undergraduate medical education. This article is particularly interesting as it highlights the impact of climate change on eye health, an area that is largely unprobed in medical school curricula. It broadens understanding of how environmental factors such as air pollution, UV exposure, and extreme weather directly influence disease patterns, especially in vulnerable populations. For a medical student, this review helps link global health, public health, and ophthalmology, reinforcing the need to consider climate change as a core determinant of health rather than a purely environmental issue.

  2. Matthew Litchfield-Williams January 31, 2026 Reply

    As a resident doctor interested in primary care, this article is valuable in emphasising how climate change is already influencing clinical presentations seen in practice, rather than being a distant future concern. The rising burden of conditions such as dry eye disease, allergic conjunctivitis, and infectious keratitis provides important context for patients presenting with ocular symptoms, particularly those from high-risk environments. Understanding these associations is useful for improving diagnostic awareness and reinforces the importance of preventative advice, such as UV protection and pollution exposure reduction, in everyday clinical care.

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