Ambient Air Pollution and Vision Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The effects of air pollution on physical health are well recognized, with many studies revealing air pollution's effects on vision disorder, yet no relationship has been established. Therefore, a meta-analysis was carried out in this study to investigate the connection between vision disorder and ambient particles (diameter ≤ 2.5 µm (PM), diameter ≤ 10 µm (PM)) and gaseous pollutants (nitrogen dioxide (NO), sulfur dioxide (SO), carbon monoxide (CO), Ozone (O)). Twelve relevant studies published by 26 February 2024 were identified in three databases. A pooled odds ratios (ORs) of 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained using random-effects meta-analysis models. Meta-analysis results revealed that for every 10 µg/m increase in PM and NO exposure, a substantially higher incidence of vision disorder was observed (OR = 1.10; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.19; OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.16). No significant correlation existed between exposure to PM, SO and CO and vision disorder. However, O exposure was negatively associated with vision disorder. In addition, subgroup analyses revealed that PM exposure was significantly correlated with the risk of glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration and that children and adolescents were more susceptible to NO and PM than adults. Overall, exposure to air pollutants, especially PM and NO, may increase the incidence of vision disorder.