Research Questions
1. What is the impact of environmental exposures (e.g., temperature variation, air pollutants), health behaviors (e.g., smoking, nutrition, exercise), and systemic comorbidities (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular disease) on the development of ocular diseases (e.g., cataracts, glaucoma, AMD) and changes in ocular biomarkers (e.g., retinal layer thickness, intraocular pressure)?
2. Are particular demographic or clinical subgroups (e.g., older individuals, those with metabolic disorders) more susceptible to these influences?
3. Do changes in modifiable exposures (e.g., improvements in air quality, healthier lifestyle choices) reduce ocular disease risk, even in populations with pre-existing chronic conditions?
Objectives
1. Assess temporal associations between environmental and lifestyle exposures, chronic systemic illnesses, and ocular health metrics using longitudinal UK Biobank data.
2. Explore potential interaction effects (e.g., air pollution × smoking) and mechanistic pathways (e.g., inflammation, microvascular dysfunction).
3. Evaluate mediating roles of chronic diseases (e.g., hypertension) in amplifying environmental or behavioral risks.
4. Generate insights to inform public health interventions and precision prevention strategies tailored to high-risk individuals.
Scientific Rationale
Ocular conditions such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cataract, and glaucoma represent growing burdens, particularly in aging populations. These diseases often emerge from a complex interplay of biological, environmental, and behavioral factors. However, the mechanisms by which environmental stressors and personal health behaviors interact with systemic disease to influence eye health remain underexplored. The UK Biobank cohort offers a unique opportunity to investigate these multifaceted relationships. Results from this study will help inform clinical and public health strategies aimed at preserving vision.