Residents In Polluted Cities At Increased Risk Of Dry Eye Syndrome

Residents of major cities with high levels of pollution have an increased risk of dry eye syndrome, according to a new study.

The study, which was presented at the 117th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology in New Orleans, found people in major polluted cities were three to four times more likely to be diagnosed with dry eye syndrome compared to less urban area with relatively less air pollution.

Researchers from the American Academy of Ophthalmology studied subjects in and around major cities. Based on the study, researchers suggest that environmental manipulations should be considered as part of the overall control and management of patients with dry eye syndrome.

"Undoubtedly, many people living in arid and polluted cities would readily attest to the irritating effect air pollution has on dry eye," Anat Galor, assistant professor of Clinical Ophthalmology Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and lead researcher, said in a statement. "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."

Researchers used data from the National Veterans Administrative database, the National Climactic Data Center and National Aeronautics and Space Administration to examine the health records of 606,708 U.S. veterans who received dry eye syndrome treatment in one of 394 Veteran Administrative eye clinics from July 2006 through July 2011.

Their findings suggest most residents in metropolitan areas, including New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami showed 17 to 21 percent increased chance of dry eye syndrome and high levels of air pollution.

Dry eye syndrome is a condition that effects up to four million people age 50 and older in the United States. The study found the risk of dry eye syndrome was 13 percent higher in zip codes with high altitude areas.

"While it has been suggested that environmental factors impact dry eye syndrome, this is the first study of a large patient population covering the entire continental United States which linked dry eye syndrome treatment location to atmospheric conditions - in particular, air pollution coupled with weather conditions," the American Academy of Ophthalmology said in a statement.