In light of wildfires continuing to burn across parts of Canada, the American Optometric Association (AOA) issued a Consumer Health Alert earlier this month on guidance for protecting eyes amid poor air quality circling parts of the United States.
Let’s talk air quality first.
The U.S. air quality index (AQI) grades air pollution levels on a scale of 0 to 500, with a higher value translating to a greater level of air pollution and, by default, health concerns.
An AQI value of 50 or below represents good air quality, while an AQI value over 300 is considered hazardous.
What’s the potential impact?
Per the AOA, smoke naturally irritates the eyes and lungs as well as exacerbates existing medical conditions in certain individuals.
Prolonged exposure to such hazardous levels of smoke and air pollution can cause asthma attacks, cardiac arrest, and arrhythmias—and significant harm to the eyes.
And with air pollutants?
Daily contact with such pollutants, and potentially in excess, can lead to eye issues like dryness—specifically, dry eye disease (DED), when the eye isn’t able to produce enough tears leading to redness and a heightened inflammatory response.
The most serious ocular health side effects of pollution could include cataracts and cancer.
So what is the AOA recommending?
The organization offers six tips for protecting eyes:
- Stay indoors as much as possible.
- Use eye protection while out.
- Avoid rubbing your eyes.
- Use appropriate relief options upon consultation with your optometrist.
- Use good contact lens hygiene.
- Consult your eyecare provider on a regular basis.
Click here for details on each tip.