Impact of El Nino Southern Oscillation and Climate Change on Infectious Diseases with Ophthalmic Manifestations

Climate change and the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events have been increasingly linked to infectious disease outbreaks. While growing evidence has connected climate variability with systemic illnesses, the ocular implications remain underexplored. This study aimed to assess the relationships between ENSO-driven climate events and infectious diseases with ophthalmic consequences. A narrative review of 255 articles was conducted, focusing on infectious diseases influenced by ENSO and their associated ocular findings. 39 articles met criteria for full review, covering diseases such as dengue, zika, chikungunya, malaria, leishmaniasis, leptospirosis, and Rift Valley fever. Warmer temperatures, increased rainfall, and humidity associated with ENSO events were found to enhance vector activity and disease transmission. Ocular complications included uveitis, retinopathy, and optic neuropathy, but the specific disease findings varied by infectious disease syndrome. The climactic variable changes in response to ENSO events differed across diseases and regions and were influenced by geography, local infrastructure, and socioeconomic factors. ENSO event-related climate shifts significantly impact the spread of infectious diseases with ocular symptoms. These findings highlight the need for region-specific surveillance and predictive models that may provide insight related to the risk of ophthalmic disease during ENSO events. Further research is needed to clarify long-term ENSO effects and develop integrated strategies for systemic and eye disease detection, prevention, and management.