Which effect can air pollution have on the eyes?

Air pollution can significantly impact eye health, and one of the common effects is irritation to the eyes. Pollutants such as particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and ozone can lead to symptoms like redness, itching, and discomfort. These irritants can affect the delicate tissues of the eye, causing a range of reactions from mild discomfort to more severe problems like conjunctivitis or other forms of inflammation.

While irritants in the air can lead to increased sensitivity to light, the most direct and immediate symptom associated with air pollution is eye irritation itself. The pollutants can disrupt normal tear production and the protective barrier that keeps the eyes lubricated, thereby exacerbating any existing conditions or causing new irritation.

In contrast, improved vision and a reduced risk of eye diseases are not effects associated with air pollution, as exposure to pollutants is generally detrimental to eye health rather than beneficial.