Springtime eye irritation may not just be from pollen—air pollution could also be to blame, according to recent findings highlighted by Italian health experts.
Researchers from the Italian Association of Ophthalmologists (AIMO) reanalyzed data from 29 previous studies involving over three million outpatient eye visits. Their findings show that exposure to environmental pollutants, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5), can increase the risk of allergic conjunctivitis by up to nine times.
“The most common eye disorder linked to air pollution is irritation or inflammation of the conjunctiva,” said Alessandra Balestrazzi, president of AIMO. “But dry eye syndrome is also frequently observed.”
The study, published recently and cited by AIMO, explains that pollutants like smog, tobacco smoke, and even emissions from e-cigarettes can irritate the eye’s surface, worsening symptoms in people already suffering from pollen-related allergies. This includes redness, burning, excessive tearing, and itchy eyes—symptoms often mistaken for infection but actually driven by allergic inflammation.
Allergic conjunctivitis occurs when the immune system overreacts to airborne allergens such as grass, birch, cypress, or olive pollen, releasing histamine and other inflammatory substances. In Italy, spring pollen peaks between February and May, with regional variations: southern areas and Sicily see earlier onset, whereas alpine regions experience high levels from April to June.
According to the Italian Society of Allergology, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology (SIAAIC), about 20–25% of the Italian population suffers from respiratory allergies, and many of these individuals also develop eye symptoms during peak pollen seasons.
Experts note that pollen concentrations tend to rise on warm, windy days and drop during rainfall. Urban areas with higher pollution levels may see even greater pollen accumulation, compounding the irritation.
Distinguishing allergic from infectious conjunctivitis is key: allergic forms typically involve intense itching and watery discharge, whereas bacterial infections often produce thick, yellowish pus. Rubbing itchy eyes can worsen inflammation, creating a cycle of discomfort.
For those affected, limiting exposure during high-pollen, high-pollution periods—especially midday and on windy afternoons—may support reduce symptoms. Protective measures like wearing sunglasses and avoiding eye rubbing are also recommended.
These findings underscore the growing intersection between environmental health and seasonal allergies, suggesting that air quality management could play a role in reducing the burden of allergic eye disease during spring months.
