Researchers from the University of Toronto found that Americans over the age of 65 who live in warmer areas are more likely to experience severe vision impairment than their peers living in less warm climates. Research published in the journal Ophthalmic Epidemiology.
The study was based on the results of six surveys conducted from 2012 to 2017. The sample included 1.7 million people over the age of 65 who had lived in the same region of the United States for their entire lives. Blindness and poor vision, even with glasses, were considered serious vision problems.
Compared to those living in counties with an average temperature below 10°C, the probability of severe visual impairment was 44% higher in those living in counties with an average temperature of 15.5°C or higher.
The association between mean temperature and severe visual impairment was strong regardless of the participants’ age, gender, income, and education.
The study’s authors suggest that high temperatures may cause visual impairment due to greater exposure to ultraviolet light, more polluted air, infections, or the breakdown of folic acid as the temperature rises. Future studies may clarify the reasons for this association.
Vision problems are the main cause of disability and functional limitations. Severe visual impairment can increase the risk of falls, fractures and adversely affect the quality of life of the elderly.
“This relationship between visual impairment and the average temperature in the county would be of great concern if future research determines that the relationship is causal. We expect global temperatures to rise due to climate change. It will be important to monitor whether the prevalence of visual impairment among older people will increase in the future,” the scientists said.
ancient scientists to solvenasal spray can relieve dementia symptoms.