What’s clouding our vision, even when skies are clear?
This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science.
Bad air quality, like smog and smoke, can reduce visibility and cause illnesses like asthma. Children are especially susceptible to harm from pollution. But is air pollution also damaging their vision?
Xi Chen and team from Tianjin Medical University think so. Their survey of nearly thirty-thousand children investigated how pollution impacts eyesight.
The findings? Children’s eyesight was better in regions with lower pollution. Specifically, near-sightedness correlated with higher nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter.
Reducing air pollution helps us see better in more ways than one. So make clearer skies for clearer eyes!
References: Chen, Xi, Yuqing Dai, Ruihua Wei, Bei Du, Congchao Lu, MacKenzie A Robert, Nai-jun Tang, Zongbo Shi, and Hua Yan. “Benefits of Clean Air for School Children’s Vision Health.” PNAS Nexus 4, no. 9 (September 23, 2025). https://doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgaf279.
New York State Department of Health. “Particle Pollution and Health.” Ny.gov. New York State, February 2018. https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/indoors/air/pmq_a.htm.