Your eyes have a brilliant process of cleaning themselves. Every time you blink, the closing motion of your eye guides dust, bacteria, old cells, and other foreign objects along your lash line to the inner corner to be removed. Each blink also flushes the eye with fluid that helps clear this micro-debris and keep the surface of the eye moist, which is essential to prevailing eye health. 

Technological Evolution

While your eyes are designed to care for themselves, the evolution of society and technology has resulted in growing air pollutants. This decrease in air quality is challenging the healthy self-cleaning process that these powerful organs possess. Studies have shown that increased exposure to polluted air is associated with higher rates of conjunctivitis and eye irritation. 

One of the obvious sources of this pollution is car exhaust. Serious irritation can occur if your eyes are exposed to car exhaust for more than four hours. Automobiles, power plants, and other industrial sources react to sunlight which results in the thick, polluted air that rests around urban areas.

Smoke Damage

Another source of airborne irritants are forest fires. The smoke from forest fires contains harmful chemicals and tiny particles that can severely damage the eyes. When in contact with the eye, the smoke and particles, which are too small to see with the naked eye, can become stuck in the eye, even after the visible smoke has cleared. 

Long Term Effects

This exposure to air pollutants can result in long term adverse effects, such as dry eye—a condition where the eye does not create enough tears to maintain its healthy lubrication—and glaucoma. Extended exposure to pollution has also been shown to affect the eyes internally, as well as topically. As we inhale pollutants, they can enter our bloodstream and damage the tiny blood vessels in the eye. 

Symptoms of pollution related eye irritation include burning, redness, discharge, watering, gritty sensations, and itchiness. 

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you can help out your natural eye cleaning process by gently flushing your eyes with cool, clean water or eye drops. If irritation is severe, using a cool compress may provide relief.

Prevention

You can prevent eye irritation or damage by wearing glasses or sunglasses to add another barrier between your eyes and the pollutants. When air quality is poor, avoid wearing contacts and stay inside whenever possible, particularly in the morning when air quality is usually at its worst. Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes with your hands, and wash your hands often. 

If you have persistent eye dryness or irritation, consider consulting an eye doctor or specialist to prevent lasting damage.