Ophthalmology

We investigate how environmental exposures, including air pollution and meteorological conditions, affect ocular diseases and acute ophthalmic exacerbations.

Air Pollution, Weather, and Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis Exacerbations

In a study performed by Ido Peles and a team of ophthalmologists at Soroka University Medical Center (Lebanon et al, 2023), we investigated the association between environmental exposures and exacerbations of vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC), a chronic allergic inflammatory disease of the ocular surface. We found that several air pollutants and meteorological conditions were independently associated with VKC flares. The strongest associations were observed for NO₂, O₃, and PM10, with odds ratios of 2.17, 2.28, and 1.89, respectively. PM2.5, temperature, and solar radiation were also linked to increased exacerbation risk, suggesting that both air pollution and weather conditions may contribute to VKC activity.

Environmental Exposures and Age-Related Cataract in Israel

In a nationwide study led by Nitzan Sagie, we examined environmental risk factors for age-related cataract among 76,249 patients and 152,498 matched controls in Israel using data from the largest Israeli HMO. We linked individual estimates of air pollution and meteorological exposures during the year preceding diagnosis to cataract risk. Higher exposure to PM10 (RR=1.13), PM2.5 (RR=1.12), CO (RR=1.20), temperature (RR=1.25), and humidity (RR=1.19) was associated with increased cataract risk, while ozone exposure showed an inverse association (RR=0.88). These findings support a potential role for environmental exposures in cataract development.