Air Pollution and its effect on Eye Health: As air quality deteriorates in the post-Diwali period, ophthalmologists are seeing a surge in eye-related complaints linked to ambient pollution. Fine particulates (PM 2.5) and gaseous pollutants, such as nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and ozone (O₃), act on the ocular surface, triggering tear-film instability, oxidative stress, and inflammation.

Dr Sunil Morekar, MBBS, MS, Ophthalmology, Ophthalmologist, Eye Surgeon, Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai, says, "Clinically, patients may present with symptoms of dry-eye disease (DED), burning, gritty sensation, photophobia, and intermittent blurring. Pollutants reduce production of the mucin and lipid layers of the tear film, increasing evaporation and exposing the corneal epithelium to damage."

Exposure may also

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