Higher Average Temperature Tied to Vision Impairment Among Older Americans
A study conducted by researchers at the University of Toronto found that Americans 65 years and older living in warmer regions are more likely to have serious vision impairment compared to their counterparts living in cooler regions. (1) This concern was heightened by the contention that climate change is contributing to a rise in global temperatures.
It is known that serious vision can increase the risk of falls, fractures and overall have a negative impact on the quality of life of the elderly. Thus, the link between temperature and vision impairment adds to this concern.
Causes are Not Definitively Known
Although there is perceived to be a strong link between average temperature and severe vision impairment, the precise mechanism underlying this relationship is still an enigma. The researchers do, however, hypothesize several potential causes for this relationship including:
- increased ultraviolet light exposure
- air pollution
- infections
- folic acid degradation with increased temperature
- Ophthalmic Epidemiology, June 20, 2023
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