Climate change: Impact of increased ultraviolet radiation and water changes on eye health

Abstract

Global climate change, a significant addition to the spectrum of environmental health threats, is projected to have widespread adverse effects on the earth over a multi-decadal time period. Consequently the planet's geological, biological and ecological systems, including human biology and health are expected to be altered. These effects are set to include an increase in adverse climate and weather events. The developing world carries a disproportionate burden of health implications that result from extreme climate and weather events, largely because they have limited capacity to respond to the cumulative impacts resulting from climate change. The developed world, however, is not immune to the impacts of climate change despite being highly industrialised and well serviced. In addition, there are a range of documented health impacts associated with climatic factors and a growing number of papers theorising how long-term climate change could impact on health. This article examines literature on the impact of climate change, specifically ultraviolet and water changes on eye health. Geographic and environmental factors that influence eye health, such as location and the spread of blindness causing diseases such as trachoma (bacterial infection of the eye) and onchocerciasis (parasitic disease in the eye) are also examined. The article aims to provide valuable information on the impacts of ultraviolet and water changes that are related to climate change and to propose recommendations that contribute to public health.

Advancing the framework for considering the effects of climate change on worker safety and health

“…The risks from these interactions are unknown and still require investigation [46,47] . Overexposure to UV radiation can increase the risk of eye damage (e.g., cataracts and photokeratitis), skin and other cancers, sunburn, and immune suppression [51] . It is therefore likely that outdoor workers will have higher exposure to UV radiation as a result of climate change and will be at higher risk for adverse health effects for decades [48] .…”

“… [46,47] Overexposure to UV radiation can increase the risk of eye damage (e.g., cataracts and photokeratitis), skin and other cancers, sunburn, and immune suppression. [51] It is therefore likely that outdoor workers will have higher exposure to UV radiation as a result of climate change and will be at higher risk for adverse health effects for decades. [48] To the extent that climate change and planetary warming increase temperatures, more fair-skinned people may be exposed to UV radiation and be at risk of skin cancers.…”

Effect of Climate Change Associated Hazards on Agricultural Workers and Approaches for Assessing Heat Stress and Its Mitigation Strategies – Review of Some Research Significances

“…radiation. Outdoor workers who are mostly working under sun ray without any proper protection are commonly affected by skin aging, skin cancer, declining immunity, and eye damage problems (photokeratitis and cataracts) (WHO, 2003;Jaggernath et al, 2013;Schulte et al, 2016;Kiefer et al, 2014). Apart from affecting the health of farmers, the U.V.…”

Impact of Climate Change on Eye Diseases and Associated Economical Costs

“…Table S1 and S2: (accessed on 4 July 2021). References [ 153 , 154 , 155 , 156 , 157 , 158 , 159 , 160 , 161 , 162 , 163 , 164 , 165 , 166 , 167 , 168 , 169 , 170 , 171 , 172 , 173 , 174 , 175 , 176 , 177 , 178 , 179 , 180 , 181 , 182 , 183 , 184 , 185 , 186 , 187 , 188 , 189 , 190 , 191 , 192 , 193 , 194 , 195 , 196 , 197 , 198 , 199 , 200 , 201 , 202 , 203 , 204 , 205 , 206 ,…”