How does air quality affect eye health?
Environmental factors may be behind eye irritation, dry eye and other conditions. Find out how by taking this quiz.
Your eyes are particularly sensitive to outdoor and indoor conditions. Air pollution, wildfire smoke and strong UV rays from the sun can trigger a range of symptoms. In fact, when air quality declines, more people visit their eye care provider with eye-related concerns, researchers have found.1
What do these symptoms look like? Take the quiz to learn how the environment affects the eyes — and how to protect them.
1. Which of these things can cause dry eyes?
A. Staring at screens for too long
B. Allergies
C. Air and particle pollution
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Why: Microscopic chemical particles can attach to the cornea, causing inflammation and disrupting the tear film.1,2 This is especially true for people who are prone to dry eyes.3
What to do: When air quality is poor, wear wraparound sunglasses or eyeglasses to help protect your eyes. Artificial tears may help, too.
2. What percentage of cataracts are caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation?
A. 50%
B. 20%
C. 0%
D. 11%
Answer: B
Why: The sun’s rays are a known risk factor for cataracts. As the ozone layer thins, more harmful UV rays can reach the earth’s surface.1
What to do: Wear sunglasses that block ultraviolet light when outdoors — even on cloudy days.4
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3. Wildfire smoke only affects the eyes of contact lens wearers.
A. True
B. False
Answer: B. False
Why: Anyone ‘s eyes can be impacted by wildfire smoke. Particles in smoke can stick to the eyes. That can disrupt tear production, which helps keep eyes moist and healthy.5
What to do: Even wildfires hundreds of miles away can affect your eyes. Stay indoors when possible, and run the A/C or an air purifier. Eye drops may help, too; for extra soothing, store drops in the refrigerator so they stay cool.5
Overdue for a vision checkup? Connect with an eye care provider now.
4. When air pollution is bad, it’s a good idea to stop which unhealthy eye habit?
A. Scrolling through social media at bedtime
B. Not taking any eye breaks throughout the day
C. Sitting too close to the TV screen
D. Rubbing their eyes
Answer: D
Why: Rubbing can make symptoms worse by increasing irritation from airborne particles.6
What to do: Clean eyelids with a washcloth instead.6
5. Air pollution can cause chemical conjunctivitis. Which symptoms are common?
A. Green or yellow discharge
B. Red, swollen eyes and decreased vision
C. Itchy, watery eyes
D. Crusty eyelids
Answer: B
Why: Air pollution contains chemical gases, such as nitric oxide and sulfur dioxide.7,8 It’s also made up of chemical particles.1
What to do: Artificial tears may soothe irritation. It’s a good idea to go to an eye health provider to get a diagnosis.7
Providers in the UnitedHealthcare Vision Network are available to help diagnose and treat the most complex vision-related issues. Search for an eye care provider now.
6. UV rays don’t just raise the risk of cataracts. They can also raise the odds of which of the following eye conditions?
A. Growths in the eye (called pterygium)
B. Sunburn inside the eye (called photokeratitis)
C. Macular degeneration
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Why: UV rays can harm the cells in the lens of the eye.9
What to do: Wear sunglasses that protect against harmful UV rays. Wraparound frames are best. Ideally, the frame’s nose bridge touches your face, too.9
7. What might be one of the most common vision symptoms of poor air quality?
A. Bleeding eyes
B. Discharge on eyelids
C. Blurry vision
D. None of the above
Answer: C
Why: The inflammation and changes to the tear film can also result in blurry vision.1,3
What to do: When air quality is poor outside, shut your windows at home. Run the A/C, use an air purifier and consider staying indoors as much as possible. After spending time outdoors, try showering to wash off pollutants.5, 6
Sources:
- Association Between Particulate Matter Pollutants and Ophthalmology Visits for Ocular Surface Irritation and Allergy Clinical Ophthalmology, November 2024.
- Dry eyes Cleveland Clinic, June 20, 2025
- Denver Air Pollution Linked to Increased Eye Clinic Visits, Study Says University of Colorado Anschutz, December 16, 2024.
- Cataracts Mayo Clinic March 14, 2026.
- Wildfire Smoke Irritating Your Eyes? Here’s What to Do University of Utah Health, July 16, 2024.
- American Optometric Association Consumer Alert and Guidance to Protect Eyes Against Exposure to Air Pollutants American Optometric Association
- Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) American Optometric Association
- Chemical Pinkeye (Conjunctivitis) New York Presbyterian, October 1, 2025
- Sunglasses and Your Eyes Columbia University Irving Medical Center, July 2, 2024.
