A long-term study has predicted that air pollution is likely to increase the risk of constant sight loss.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness among over-50s in richer nations, with roughly 300 million people predicted to be affected by 2040, known risk factors include age and smoking.
Now researchers have drawn a link between AMD and air pollution, which is already known to carry a host of health risks including heart and lung disease. Official data on traffic and levels of nitrous oxide and small particulate matter was used to calculate the annual average air pollution levels at the home addresses of the participants.
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They were asked to report a formal diagnosis of AMD by a doctor and were tested on their sight performance several years later. In all, 1,286 participants were diagnosed with macular degeneration at the end of the study period.
“Overall, our findings suggest that ambient air pollution, especially fine (particulate matter) or those of combustion-related particles, may affect AMD risk,” said the study authors.
“Our findings add to the growing evidence of the damaging effects of ambient air pollution, even in the setting of relatively low exposure.” The World Health Organization estimates air pollution is responsible for at least seven million deaths every year.
