Regulators of the association between ocular disorders and systemic diseases.

Aims: The overall goal of this project is to explore the regulators of the associations between ocular disorders and systemic diseases. Specific aims are: 1. To explore environmental factors (including air pollution, climate changes etc..), and gene of the association between ocular disorders and systemic diseases (cardiovascular disease, kidney disease etc..).
2. To explore lifestyle factors (dietary habit, sleep, physical activity etc..) of the association between ocular disorders and systemic diseases.
Scientific rationale: With the rapid industrialization and urbanization, air quality problems and other environmental health troubles are particularly becoming major sources of morbidity and mortality in human. In the context of global climate change, accumulating epidemiological evidence indicates that abnormal ambient temperatures could increase the risk of death from a wide range of diseases. Environmental factors, such as air pollution, climate changes etc., affect the prevalence of the ocular disorders and systemic diseases. During the past few years, researchers have examined lifestyle, particularly those related to dietary habits, physical activity, and sleep, for individuals at increased incidence for ocular disorders and systemic diseases. However, little is known about whether environment and lifestyle regulate the association between ocular disorders and systemic diseases. What’s more, gene-environment interactions which identify potential opportunities for personalized health interventions for individuals who are genetically susceptible to ocular disorders and systemic diseases, are not clear in the associations between ocular disorders and systemic diseases.
Duration of the project: 36 months.
Public health impact: This project will benefit millions of people worldwide, who are at risk of ocular disorders and systemic diseases. Of note, prevention is most effective when people at high risk are identified early, allowing preventative and therapeutic interventions. Early diagnosis and intervention in ocular disorders and systemic diseases have resulted in reducing onset, slowing the loss of function, delaying complications, improving patient quality of life, and reducing socioeconomic burden associated with the disease in the long run.