Pollution and heat can alter eye pressure

The intraocular pressureone of the main indicators to detect the glaucomait does not depend only on individual factors. It can also be influenced by the environment. This is indicated by a scientific study in which the inGO Research Group team of General Optica has participated, together with the University of Valladolid, the Complutense University of Madrid and the IOBA Eye Institute.

Glaucoma is one of the main causes of irreversible blindness in the world and usually progresses without symptoms in its early stages. Therefore, controlling eye pressure is essential to detect risk situations in time.

The research was carried out with 216 healthy people between 18 and 40 years old. The scientists measured their intraocular pressure and compared it to environmental data recorded that same day, such as temperature, atmospheric pressure and pollution levels such as particulate matter, ozone and nitrogen dioxide.

The associations detected were slight, but significant. That is, there is a relationship between certain environmental conditions and changes in eye pressure. One of the most relevant findings was that people exposed to higher levels of fine particles in the airknown as PM2.5, presented higher intraocular pressure values.

High myopia and other risk factors

The study also confirms that the high myopiagreater than six diopters, is associated with a increased risk of high intraocular pressure. Furthermore, an internal analysis by General Optica on more than 3,200 clients in the Iberian Peninsula indicates that approximately one in 23 people has intraocular pressure values ​​above the threshold considered clinically relevant. The percentage is higher in those who suffer from hypertension or have a history of glaucoma.

José Ramón García, optician-optometrist in charge of Visual Health and Ophthalmic Lenses at General Optica, sums it up like this: “The glaucoma It is a silent disease that can advance for years without obvious symptoms. Identifying factors that can influence intraocular pressure helps us reinforce the importance of prevention and periodic check-ups.”

Specialists remember that having High eye pressure does not necessarily mean suffering from glaucoma. However, it is one of its main risk factors. Therefore, they recommend periodic check-ups, especially in people with high myopia, hypertension or a family history.