Impact of bushfire smoke on the ocular surface | Natural Hazards Research Australia

Impact of bushfire smoke on the ocular surface

Research theme

Communities and workforces of the future

Project type

Postgraduate research

Project status

Completed

This project aimed to increase the understanding of how bushfire smoke affects the ocular surface of the eye, the interface between the functioning eye and the environment. It determined what symptoms occur with exposure to bushfire smoke to understand the consequences of repeated exposure to bushfire smoke for frontline emergency workers. 

Research team
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Dr Suki Jaiswal
Research leader
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A/Prof Blanka Golebiowski
Supervisor
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Prof Isabelle Jalbert
Supervisor
Project details

The findings of this project will guide future eyecare of people exposed to bushfire smoke including targeted diagnostic tests to determine impact of smoke exposure, identification of those with greater risk of eye disease from smoke exposure and adequate therapeutic management of smoke-induced ocular surface diseases. Furthermore, this project will determine how the eyes of emergency services personnel chronically exposed to large amounts of smoke are affected and practical strategies to prevent ocular symptoms and protect eye surface.

Publications
Year Type Citation
10/2024 Journal article Blinded by smoke: Wildfire smoke exposure and eye irritation in Australian wildland firefighters
Resources
Date Type Title
1 May 2023 Poster Sukanya Jaiswal - 2023 Natural Hazards Research Forum poster
Participating organisations
The University of New South Wales

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