Researchers find the condition mostly affects people living in highly polluted areas

Nov 18, 2013 21:36 GMT  ·  By
Researchers find high levels of air pollution make people more vulnerable to dry eye syndrome
   Researchers find high levels of air pollution make people more vulnerable to dry eye syndrome

The World Health Organization has already stated that air pollution causes cancer. According to a new report made public by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, exposure to airborne toxic chemical compounds also makes people more vulnerable to a condition known as dry eye syndrome.

Specifically, researchers working with the Academy now say that, according to their investigations, dry eye syndrome is more common among people who live in highly polluted urban areas in the United States.

As detailed on the official website for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, these people are about 3 – 4 times more likely to be diagnosed with this medical condition, when compared to individuals who inhabit areas where there is little air pollution.

The researchers base their claims on data collected while looking into the health records of 606,708 individuals. These people were all veterans, and had all been diagnosed with and received treatment for dry eye syndrome between July 2006 – July 2011.

The incidence rate ratio for dry eye syndrome among people living in highly polluted metropolitan areas, i.e. New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami, was found to be one of 1.4.

What's more, it was discovered the people living in areas located at fairly high altitudes were 13% more likely to develop said condition.

“Undoubtedly, many people living in arid and polluted cities would readily attest to the irritating effect air pollution has on dry eye,” researcher Anat Galor commented on the outcome on this investigation.

“Our research suggests that simple actions, such as maintaining the appropriate humidity indoors and using a high-quality air filter, should be considered as part of the overall management of patients suffering from dry eye syndrome,” the specialist went on to argue.

Dry eye syndrome is documented to mainly affect people over the age of 50.

The condition is best described as a deficiency in tear production, and its symptoms include stinging, burning and discomfort when wearing contact lenses. It can also happen that dry eye syndrome patients tear excessively in an attempt to compensate for the loss of moisture.