How air pollution affects the eyes — a review

The aim of this study is to present scientific reports concerning the influence of air pollution on eyes. Air pollutionis nowadays a common problem. The most significant pollutants are carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide(NO2), ozone (O3), sulphur dioxide (SO2), particulate matters — PM10 and PM2.5. The main source of toxins in theair are cars, burning of the fuels and burning of the charcoal in household stoves. Most attention is paid to negativeeffects of air pollution on respiratory system, such as asthma and lung cancer, however, it is worth remembering thatinfluence on the eyes is equally important. Children are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution.Anterior segment of the eye is the most exposed. Substances, which are part of the smog have an irritating effecton the surface of the eye, cause disturbances in the tear film and an inflammation. Medical conditions associatedwith increased air pollution are mainly eye irritation, conjunctivitis, dry eye syndrome (DES), meibomian glanddysfunction (MGB) and blepharitis