Key Takeaways
- Climate change increases UV radiation exposure, resulting in 370+ new cataract cases per 100,000 people for each degree Celsius temperature increase.
- High temperatures damage the eye’s natural defense systems against harmful reactive oxygen species, causing protein damage and lens clouding.
- UV radiation harms DNA in lens cells and creates harmful molecules that lead to various eye conditions beyond cataracts.
- High-quality UV-filtering sunglasses offer 38% more protection against harmful radiation compared to no eye protection.
- Both individual protection methods and wider climate action are necessary to protect long-term eye health.
370+ New Cataract Cases Per Degree of Warming: The Clear Evidence
The link between climate change and eye health grows clearer with each passing year. New research shows a direct relationship between rising temperatures and increased cases of cataracts and other eye disorders. A study conducted in southern Spain found that for each degree Celsius rise in maximum average temperature, .
“Now, one might think that this problem just affects elderly populations, but that is incorrect,” says one optometrist from The Eye Cube, a West Hampstead optician that to meet local demand. “While cataracts typically appear after age 60, researchers now document cases in people between 15 and 49 years old.”
“And with this age group also the most active in terms of phone use, we’re hardly surprised that those struggling with vision problems are getting younger and younger,” they added.
The optometrist also notes that quality UV protection has become increasingly necessary as we confront these climate-related threats to eye health. “It’s a necessary investment if you want to avoid wearing prescriptions anytime soon,” they said.
The Science Behind Climate-Induced Eye Damage
How Heat Disrupts Eye Protection Mechanisms
The human eye has developed sophisticated defence systems to shield itself from environmental harm. However, climate change is overwhelming these natural protections. When body temperatures approach 40°C (104°F) during extreme heat events, it can cause heatstroke, a condition that disrupts biological processes throughout the body, including the eyes.
Heatstroke damages the natural defence systems that would typically counteract harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species. Without these defences functioning properly, the eyes become more susceptible to damage from both heat and UV radiation.
What makes this especially concerning is that longer exposure to extreme heat conditions increases the risk of developing eye problems. For outdoor workers, such as agricultural labourers, this presents a growing risk that worsens year after year as global temperatures continue to rise.
The Role of Reactive Oxygen Species in Cataract Formation
The transparent lens of the eye consists of crystalline proteins that must stay perfectly organised to maintain clarity. When reactive oxygen species attack these proteins, they cause structural damage that creates opacities, the cloudy areas typical of cataracts.
Unlike many tissues in the body, the lens cannot regenerate or repair these damaged proteins. Once the damage occurs, it is permanent and progressive. This explains why cataracts typically develop gradually over time, and why repeated or extended exposure to conditions that generate reactive oxygen species, such as climate change-intensified heat and UV radiation, accelerates their formation.
Direct DNA Damage from Increased UV Exposure
Beyond generating harmful reactive oxygen species, UV radiation presents another serious threat to eye health: direct DNA damage to lens cells. Climate change increases our exposure to UV radiation in multiple ways.
First, as temperatures rise, people naturally spend more time outdoors, increasing their exposure time. Second, climate change alters atmospheric conditions in ways that intensify UV radiation. In regions like Southern California and Spain’s Costa del Sol, hot, dry winds remove water vapour from the air—vapour that would normally absorb some UV radiation before it reaches our eyes.
This combination of increased exposure time and intensity creates ideal conditions for UV-related eye damage. The DNA damage caused by UV radiation can lead to cellular dysfunction and death within the lens, further contributing to cataract formation and other eye disorders.
Protecting Your Vision in a Warming World
As climate change intensifies UV radiation and raises temperatures globally, protecting our eyes becomes increasingly vital. Several effective strategies can reduce your risk of climate-related eye damage.
1. Essential UV Protection: Sunglasses and Hats
The primary defence against climate-intensified UV radiation is proper eyewear. “But it’s important to keep in mind that not all sunglasses perform equally,” said The Eye Cube’s optometrist.
They advised looking for lenses that block 99 to 100% of UVA and UVB radiation for maximum protection. “Pairing your sunglasses with a hat that has a visor provides extra protection by creating shade for your eyes. This combined approach is particularly important during peak UV hours and near reflective surfaces like water or snow, which can amplify UV exposure.”
2. Specialized Contact Lenses with Hydrogel
For contact lens wearers, specialized hydrogel lenses provide an additional layer of protection. These lenses contain materials that allow more oxygen to reach the cornea while offering some UV filtering capability.
3. Vitamin-Rich Diet (A, C, E) for Eye Health
Nutritional approaches can significantly strengthen your eyes’ natural defences against climate-related damage. Foods rich in vitamins A, C, E, and the amino acid tryptophan help maintain eye health and combat reactive oxygen species.
Good dietary sources include:
Vitamin A: Carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and liver
Vitamin C: Citrus fruits, bell peppers, strawberries, and broccoli
Vitamin E: Nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, and leafy greens
Tryptophan: Turkey, chicken, eggs, and cheese
4. Workplace Shade and Regular Cooling Breaks
For outdoor workers, environmental modifications are essential. Employers should provide adequate shade structures and schedule regular breaks in cool environments to prevent eye damage from extended heat exposure.
“If you work outdoors, advocate for these protective measures in your workplace. Use break times to cool down, hydrate, and reapply sunscreen, all of which help maintain overall health, including eye health,” said the optometrist.
You Need Eye Protection and Climate Action
While individual protective measures are crucial, addressing the root cause of intensified UV radiation, which is climate change itself, is equally important for long-term eye health worldwide. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and eliminating ozone-depleting chemicals are critical global strategies to protect future generations from increasing rates of eye disease.
“Anyone who values their eyesight should support broader climate action, while continuing to protect their own vision through the measures we just shared,” said The Eye Cube’s optometrist.
The Eye Cube is advocating for essential vision protection from climate-intensified UV radiation.
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