El Nino increases eye diseases!

A joint study by academics from the UK and the USA has shown that temperature and precipitation changes caused by El Nino can increase the transmission of eye diseases.

Scientists from the University of Cambridge and universities in Michigan and Texas investigated the potential effects of climate change and El Nino on eye health.

In the study titled "El Nino and Eye Health: The Effects of Climate Change on the Eye," it was noted that El Nino, which occurs in the Pacific Ocean and affects global precipitation patterns by increasing sea surface temperatures, has begun to be effective again after 7 years.

The study stated that El Nino leads to extreme rainfall in the southern United States, Central Asia, and South America, while causing severe droughts in Central America, South Asia, Indonesia, and Australia.

Researchers determined that in addition to its known weather pattern effects, El Nino also indirectly impacts human health, and one of these impacts is related to eye health.

It was noted that El Nino's rising temperatures cause increased rainfall in some regions, which can result in the proliferation of disease-carrying mosquitoes and an increase in infectious diseases.

The research reported that mosquitoes could transmit diseases such as the dengue virus, West Nile virus, chikungunya virus, malaria parasites, and viruses that cause encephalitis more intensely.

Pointing out that increased rainfall can lead to flash floods and that harmful pathogens can be transmitted through floodwaters, the research emphasized that this situation could cause an increase in eye conditions such as keratitis.

The research also stated that extreme droughts can lead to water loss, which may result in issues such as dry eye syndrome, problems with eye blood vessels, and cataracts.

It was stated that due to changes in the atmosphere and cloud cover caused by El Nino, some regions may be exposed to more ultraviolet rays from the sun.

This situation, it was noted, could lead to eye ailments, particularly issues such as pterygium, photokeratitis, and malignant tumors.

One of the researchers, Dr. Andrew G. Lee, a faculty member at the Baylor College of Medicine in the USA, stated that El Nino could cause an increase in mosquito-borne diseases and lead to a rise in healthcare expenditures. Lee also emphasized that preventive measures should be taken by considering the effects of El Nino on human health worldwide.