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CLIMATE CHANGE - Now more than ever, we’re feeling the effects of climate change. That’s most apparent given rising temperatures worldwide, with every new year breaking records as the planet’s hottest. As of March 2024, the Earth is now 1.68°C warmer than it was before the Industrial Revolution.
Of course, LA is no exception. In fact, we might even be feeling climate change more acutely given our geographical location, local weather patterns, and air quality. Over the next few decades, LA County and the surrounding areas are now set to experience three times the amount of days where temperatures hit over 95°F.
Though that means we need to prepare for extreme weather events like wildfires, we also need to look after our health. In particular, experts now warn that climate change can significantly impact our eyesight.
Here’s what that means for LA residents—and what can be done about it.
How climate change impacts eye health
The answer lies in three main factors: heat, dry air, and pollution. Due to the loss of the ozone layer, we’re more exposed to the sun’s UV rays as temperatures rise. On average, LA—along with the rest of California—hits 10 on the UV index, which is classified as a very high level of UV radiation. That means residents are more vulnerable to UV overexposure, something that’s closely linked to the early development of traditionally age-related, blindness-causing diseases like cataracts and macular degeneration.
In turn, hotter days and higher UV levels cause moisture to evaporate faster, leading to drier air. That makes you more vulnerable to dry eye syndrome. This condition can cause more than just discomfort: the lack of hydration can roughen the insides of your eyelids, which can then scratch your corneas and cause infections that can potentially lead to vision loss. Your risk of developing dry eye syndrome can be especially high if you live in LA, which already experiences long dry seasons due to its location in a semi-arid part of the US.
Of course, no discussion on climate change is complete without mentioning pollution—and this is something that can similarly impact your eye health. In LA, it primarily manifests through the water and air. An inefficient storm drain network results in contaminated water (and, eventually, rain), while LA itself is one of the cities with the worst air quality in the US. The pollutants that come from these sources can enter the eyes, causing irritation, chronic pain—and, if allowed to linger, infections that cause blindness.
Protecting your eyes from climate change
The sun is arguably the most important thing you need to be wary of, making sunglasses essential. However, steer clear of cheap pairs that simply have dark lenses. These will only dilate your pupils, letting more sunlight—and UV rays—in. Instead, opt for those marked “UV400,” which guarantees alignment with international standards for UV protection. In particular, designer sunglasses from reliable brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley are more likely to provide 100% UVA and UV protection. Oversized models like the Versace Biggie can also offer more coverage. Prioritize these features for the best effect.
To ward off the dryness that comes with rising temperatures and can be exacerbated by LA’s climate, turn to eye drops. Brands like Refresh and Bausch + Lomb formulate these with moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid to support your eyes’ tear film and keep your eyes hydrated. For longer-lasting effects, opt for more potent, oil-based eye drops like the Systane Complete PF to lock in moisture. You can also stick to liquid, water-based variants if you also want to use the product to wash away any potentially irritating pollutants after a day outdoors.
If you’re diagnosed with refractive errors like myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), or astigmatism, you’ll also want to make some special considerations. For example, most eyewear brands offer prescription sunglasses for eyeglasses wearers. Their lenses can accommodate both single-vision and multifocal prescriptions, making them a convenient way to benefit from UV protection without compromising on your vision correction needs. Meanwhile, contact lens wearers are better off wearing daily contacts, especially since those who use reusable lenses are 4.14 times more likely to develop eye infections. In contrast, the disposable nature of dailies means they won’t give pollutants time to get trapped under the lenses and cause infections. Brands like Acuvue offer moisturizing variants of these contacts, which can be doubly useful if you’re constantly exposed to LA’s dry weather and polluted air.
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