A new study has found that air pollution may negatively affect children’s eyesight, while exposure to fresh air could help protect and improve vision.
Researchers reported in PNAS Nexus that children exposed to nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) showed weaker visual performance without glasses.
Using advanced machine learning to analyze data from nearly 30,000 school-age children, the study revealed that environmental factors contribute to the development of myopia, alongside genetic and lifestyle influences such as screen time.
The research showed that lower levels of air pollutants were linked to better vision, with elementary school students and children with mild to moderate myopia benefiting the most. This suggests early intervention can make a significant difference before vision problems worsen.
Although the study could not confirm that air pollution directly causes myopia, lead researcher Professor Zhongbo Shi of the University of Birmingham emphasized that it is “among the first to focus on air pollution as an important, modifiable risk factor for childhood myopia.”
The researchers recommended practical measures such as installing air purifiers in classrooms, establishing “clean air zones” around schools, and restricting car traffic during school drop-off and pick-up times. They stressed that clean air supports not only respiratory health but also eye health.
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