Press Release: Air pollution and retinal neurodegeneration in residents of Bordeaux

In a ten-year follow-up study of a cohort of 683 elderly people from Bordeaux, published in the journal Environmental Research, researchers from the BPH found accelerated thinning of the retinal nerve fibre layer in people with greater exposure to air pollution, particularly those with greater exposure to fine particles.

Chronic exposure to air pollution may have adverse effects on neurodegenerative diseases. In the prospective Alienor cohort of elderly residents of Bordeaux, an accelerated thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) was evidence in participants exposed to higher levels of air pollution, in particular to fine particulate matter (with a diameter inferior to 2.5 microns).
RNFL is a biomarker of retinal neurodegeneration, and the hallmark of glaucoma.
These results further document the effects of air pollution on neurodegenerative processes, as previously observed in studies on brain aging.

Atmospheric pollution accelerates eye ageing – Inserm Press Room

Pollution linked to glaucoma, conjunctivitis, even nearsightedness – The Washington Post

Vitamines, pollution lumineuse et vision – rts.ch – Portail Audio

Gayraud L, Mortamais M, Schweitzer C, de Hoogh K, Cougnard-Gregoire A, Korobelnik JF, Delyfer MN, Rougier MB, Leffondre K, Helmer C, Vienneau D, Berr C, Delcourt C. Association of long-term exposure to ambient air pollution with retinal neurodegeneration: the prospective Alienor study. Environ Res. 2023;232:116364.
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116364
Link to scientific publication

presse@inserm.fr