Cleaner Air Linked to Better Eyesight in Children, Study Finds

New research reveals a strong association between lower air pollution levels and better uncorrected visual acuity in children, suggesting that reducing exposure to pollutants like nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) may help slow the progression of myopia (nearsightedness), especially in younger age groups.

Understanding the Impact of Air Pollution on Vision

The study, published in PNAS Nexus, highlights that while genetics and lifestyle habits such as screen time play significant roles in childhood myopia, environmental factors like air pollution also contribute meaningfully.

Using advanced machine learning models, researchers from the University of Birmingham and their collaborators analyzed how genetic, environmental, and lifestyle influences interact to shape children's visual development.

Key finding:

Children living in areas with cleaner air had better uncorrected visual acuity, even after adjusting for genetic and lifestyle factors.

Younger Children Most Affected

The study found that primary school-aged children are particularly sensitive to air pollution. This age group showed the greatest improvements in vision when exposed to lower levels of NO₂ and PM2.5.

In contrast, older children and those already affected by high myopia were less responsive to environmental changes. Their visual outcomes were more heavily influenced by genetic predispositions, indicating that early intervention is key to preventing long-term damage.

Air Pollution as a Modifiable Risk Factor

Co-supervisor Professor Zongbo Shi emphasized that air pollution should now be considered alongside screen time and genetics as a modifiable risk factor for childhood myopia:

“Clean air isn’t just about respiratory health—it’s about visual health too. Our results show that improving air quality could be a valuable strategic intervention to protect children’s eyesight.”

The researchers noted that air pollution may contribute to myopia progression through several mechanisms, including:

       • Inflammation and oxidative stress in ocular tissues

       • Reduced sunlight exposure, which is critical for healthy eye growth

       • Chemical changes that affect the shape and development of the eye

Practical Recommendations for Eye Health

The study suggests actionable public health measures that could positively impact children's vision:

       • Installing air purifiers in classrooms

       • Establishing clean-air zones around schools

       • Temporarily restricting traffic during school pick-up and drop-off times

Given that children spend a significant portion of their day at school, improving air quality in these environments may be a practical and effective intervention.

A Call for Early Environmental Intervention

Dr. Yuqing Dai, co-author of the study, underscored the urgency of acting early:

“While we can’t change a child’s genes, we can improve their environment. If we act early—before severe myopia sets in—we can make a real difference.”

Reference:

Chen, X. et al. (2025). Benefits of clean air for school children's vision health. PNAS Nexus, 4(9). https://doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgaf279. 

https://academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/article/4/9/pgaf279/8259670