A correlation between high temperature regions and severe vision impairments was found in US people aged 65 and over by researchers at the University of Toronto.
A study, published in the Ophthalmic Epidemiology journal, revealed that elderly people experienced a 14% higher chance of severe impairment at 50– 54.9F compared to colder climates, while those living in temperatures of 55-59F had a 24% higher risk, and those at 60F or above had a 44% (15.5C) higher risk.
Findings showed a stronger relationship among individuals aged 65 to 79 compared to those aged 80 or older, with males at higher risk than females.
Researchers hypothesised that the association could be due to increased exposure to ultraviolet light, air pollution, infections, and the degradation of folic acid with rising temperatures, however, further studies are needed to understand causal factors.
Professor Esme Fuller-Thomson, lead author and director at the Institute of Life Course and Aging at the University of Toronto, expressed deep concern over the link and said that with the anticipated rise in global temperatures due to climate change, monitoring the potential increase in vision impairment among older adults becomes imperative.