Our eyesight is one of
our most treasured senses. However, according to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), 34.1 million adults in the United States
currently smoke cigarettes. Smoking cigarettes does increase your risk of
developing heart disease, stroke, and cancer, but did you know that smoking can
also harm your eye health and vision?
Your risk for eye
diseases increases when you continue to indulge in this habit. The best thing
to do for your eye health and your overall health is to avoid nicotine
altogether.
Need more convincing?
Here are a few eye problems that are made worse by smoking:
Age-Related
Macular Degeneration (AMD)
This disease
happens when a part of the retina is damaged. Studies show that smokers and
ex-smokers are more likely to get AMD than people who have never smoked.
Cataracts
If you smoke, you
are at increased risk of getting cataracts. A cataract is the clouding of
your eye’s naturally clear lens. It causes blurry vision and makes colors
look dull, faded, or yellowish. Cataracts are removed with surgery.
Diabetic
Retinopathy
Smokers who also have
diabetes risk getting diabetic Retinopathy. Diabetic Retinopathy is when
blood vessels in the eye are damaged. It causes blurry or distorted vision and
possibly blindness. Treatment includes medication or surgery.
Dry Eye
This is when your eyes
do not produce enough tears. Smoking with dry eyes will make your eyes more
likely to feel scratchy, sting, burn, or red.
Uveitis
Smoking can also
lead to a disease that affects part of the eye called the uvea. This is
the middle layer of the eye wall. This disease causes red eye, pain, and
vision problems.
Ready to Quit?
Discussing these
eye conditions can sound unnerving. However, there is good news that quitting
smoking at any age and anytime is the RIGHT time to reduce your risk
significantly. Discuss options to stop smoking with your primary care doctor,
and check out the American Cancer Society, which has several resources to help you.
Breaking the habit of
smoking and avoiding second-hand smoke is the best investment you can make in
your long-term eye health.
References: American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Optometric Association. This blog provides information and discussion about eye health and related subjects. The content provided within this blog and any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered medical advice. If the reader or any person has a medical concern, they should consult with an appropriately licensed physician.