Climate Change Threatens Eye Health, Experts Warn

While climate change is often associated with rising seas or extreme weather, a growing body of research points to a lesser-known consequence: worsening eye health. With UV exposure and air pollution on the rise, the risks to human vision are becoming harder to ignore.

Heat and UV Radiation Damage the Eye

New studies suggest that climate change is directly harming our eyesight. Elevated temperatures and prolonged UV exposure are accelerating the development of conditions such as cataracts. As reported by Tech WP, research from Spain shows that for every 1°C increase in temperature, there are an estimated 370 additional cataract cases per 100,000 people.

Cataracts occur when proteins in the eye’s lens are damaged, leading to cloudy vision and, in severe cases, blindness. UV rays also raise the risk of eye inflammation, such as conjunctivitis. Spanish ophthalmologist Lucía Echevarría-Lucas notes that body temperatures nearing 40°C can trigger heatstroke, disrupting the body’s biology, including that of the eye.

Other Climate-Related Threats to Vision

Beyond heat and sunlight, climate change exacerbates pollen seasons and mold growth, increasing cases of allergic conjunctivitis. Meanwhile, drought-related malnutrition in some regions is linked to optic nerve damage and broader vision decline.

Jesús Rodrigo Comino, a geography expert from the University of Granada, emphasized prevention: “Wearing a brimmed hat and UV-filtered sunglasses provides nearly 38 percent more protection.”

Prevention and Policy Go Hand-in-Hand

Experts stress that those working outdoors should take regular breaks, stay hydrated, and shield their eyes from direct sunlight. A diet rich in vitamins A, C, and E also supports long-term eye health. On a larger scale, reducing greenhouse gas emissions remains critical to minimizing health impacts globally.

Protecting our vision in the age of climate change will require both personal habits and collective action.