Most of the consequences of global warming are quite noticeable. However, scientists have discovered another, still unclear effect. It turns out that serious vision deterioration in older adults may be linked to rising average environmental temperatures.
Warming Leads to Vision Deterioration
A team of researchers examined survey data from 1.7 million Americans aged 65 and older. Participants were asked about their vision impairment, including blindness or significant difficulties seeing even with glasses. The scientists then compared the responses with statistics on average temperatures in the areas where the respondents lived.
It was found that older adults living in regions with lower temperatures (around 10°C) had the best vision. According to the researchers, even a slight difference in temperature had a significant impact.
In regions where the average temperature was 12°C, vision deterioration among seniors increased by 14%, and if the average temperature reached 15.5°C or higher, the increase was a staggering 44%.
As noted by lead author Esme Fuller-Thomson, these findings are deeply concerning, especially in light of global warming. Scientists assert that due to climate change, Europe is warming twice as fast as the rest of the planet, and the Arctic Circle is warming four times faster. For this reason, Ms. Fuller-Thomson emphasizes the importance of understanding how rising temperatures affect vision deterioration in older adults.
The Impact is Noticeable Regardless of Income
Co-author Ms. Fuller-Thomson, pharmacist Jidi Deng, highlights that vision problems are a common functional limitation among older adults. Serious vision impairment can lead to an increased risk of falls and fractures, as well as negatively affect the quality of life for seniors.
Thus, the connection between temperature and vision deterioration raises significant concern. Moreover, this link was found across various demographic factors, regardless of income and education levels among older adults, although age and gender did have some influence.
Ms. Fuller-Thomson points out that this correlation was most pronounced among individuals aged 65 to 79. Interestingly, for those aged 80 and older, the effect was less noticeable. Additionally, this phenomenon was found to be more prevalent among men than women. However, in different income groups, the relationship between atmospheric temperature and vision deterioration remained consistent.
Why are Rising Temperatures and Vision Deterioration Linked?
Researchers acknowledge that the primary cause of this phenomenon is still unclear. They suggest that several potential factors may contribute to the observed connection. One theory posits that increased exposure to ultraviolet light in warmer climates may lead to eye damage.
Another hypothesis links the relationship between rising temperatures and vision deterioration to lower levels of folic acid. This water-soluble vitamin is crucial for eye health and is degraded by high temperatures. Other likely causes include increased air pollution and a rise in infections.
As noted by Earth magazine, climate change has a serious impact on human health overall. Rising temperatures lead to more heat-related illnesses. Air pollution from wildfires and dust storms, exacerbated by climate change, harms the lungs and increases respiratory issues.
Warmer climates facilitate the expansion of habitats for disease-carrying insects, causing people to contract illnesses even in regions where these diseases were previously unknown. The lengthening of pollen seasons due to global warming results in prolonged allergic reactions.
Therefore, climate change is not just an environmental issue; it poses a serious threat to public health. This is why combating climate change can help improve health and well-being for people worldwide.
According to Professor Fuller-Thomson, this new discovery raises more questions than it answers. Therefore, further research is needed for more conclusive findings. In the future, scientists also plan to investigate whether surrounding temperatures are linked to other impairments in older adults, such as hearing loss.