Air travel and climate change create unique challenges for eye health. Whether due to the dry cabin air on planes, exposure to high-altitude UV rays, or environmental shifts, your vision can be affected in unexpected ways. Understanding how these factors impact your eyes, especially in relation to dry eye, can help you take better care of your vision when traveling.
Dry Air and Eye Irritation
Airplane cabins are notorious for their extremely low humidity levels. This dry environment causes moisture on the surface of the eye to evaporate faster, leading to dehydration of the corneal surface. Symptoms such as redness, itching, and a gritty sensation are common during flights, even for individuals who don’t typically experience dry eye.
Frequent flyers are especially at risk, often noticing their discomfort worsen on longer trips. Using artificial tears or wearing glasses rather than contact lenses can help mitigate this issue. Adequate hydration before and during flights also plays a role in preventing ocular dryness.
Cabin Pressure and Blurred Vision
The reduced air pressure within an aircraft cabin doesn’t just affect your ears; it can also influence your vision. Here’s how cabin pressure may impact your eyes:
- Decreased Oxygen Supply: Lower oxygen levels at high altitudes can lead to slight swelling of the cornea, which may cause a slight blurring of vision.
- Contact Lens Discomfort: Reduced oxygen flow, combined with cabin dryness, can make wearing contact lenses more uncomfortable, exacerbating feelings of dryness or causing the lenses to adhere tightly to the corneal surface.
- Stress on the Optic Nerve: Although uncommon, individuals with pre-existing conditions that affect intraocular pressure may experience heightened sensitivity. This can result in temporary discomfort or blurred vision.
Taking regular breaks to close your eyes, staying hydrated, and minimizing contact lens use during flights can help counteract these effects.
UV Exposure and High Altitudes
Flying at high altitudes significantly increases exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Airplane windows block some UV light but not all of it. This leaves eyes vulnerable to harmful rays during extended daylight flights. To protect your eyes, wearing high-quality sunglasses with UV protection, pulling down the airplane window shade, or even donning a wide-brimmed hat can help minimize risk. Pilots and frequent flyers should be particularly vigilant about taking these steps. Their cumulative exposure may be higher due to more frequent flying.
Climate Shifts and Eye Health
Climate change and its environmental effects are also influencing eye health globally. Fluctuating weather patterns, pollution, and changing ecosystems pose challenges to maintaining eye health. Some ways these factors are affecting the eyes include:
- Pollution and Irritants: Increased air pollution resulting from climate shifts can irritate the eyes, exacerbating conditions such as redness, swelling, and sensitivity.
- Allergy Triggers: Warmer temperatures might extend pollen seasons, intensifying seasonal allergies that can cause itchy or watery eyes.
- Dehydration and Heat: Higher global temperatures and prolonged heat waves increase the risk of dehydration, which can lead to a higher prevalence of dry eye symptoms.
- UV Index Changes: With ozone layer depletion and shifts in UV index levels, consistent protection against UV radiation is more necessary than ever.
Protect Vision and Prevent Dry Eye
To maintain healthy eyes despite air travel and climate-related changes, adopting simple habits can make a big difference. Use lubricating eye drops during flights, wear protective sunglasses to shield against UV exposure, and remain aware of environmental factors that may impact your vision. Prioritize hydration and switch to glasses instead of contact lenses when necessary. Consult an eye care professional if you notice persistent discomfort.
