The habit that can damage your vision
Smoking is known for its devastating health effects, such as causing lung disease, heart problems and cancer. But what about our eyesight? Many people don't realise that every cigarette, cigar or pipe they light up can also threaten the health of their eyes.
The effect of smoking on eye health
But how do some eye diseases get worse because of smoking?;
Dry eye
We suffer from dry eyes when our eyes do not produce enough tears or do not have the right quality of tears. Smoking makes our eyes drier, which makes certain symptoms such as foreign body sensation, burning sensation and redness more severe.
Waterfall
If we smoke, we run the risk of accelerating the onset of cataracts. A cataract is the clouding of the natural lens of our eye (crystalline). It causes blurred vision and makes colours look dull, faded or yellowish. Cataracts are removed by surgery.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
This disease occurs when a part of the retina called the macula is damaged due to «normal» aging of the body. Central vision is lost and we cannot see details.
Peripheral vision, however, remains normal. Sometimes an injection of drugs (AntiVEGF) or surgery can help some patients with age-related macular degeneration from getting worse.
Studies have shown, and continue to show, that smokers and ex-smokers are more likely to develop age-related macular degeneration than those who have never smoked.
Diabetic retinopathy
Smokers who have diabetes are at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when the blood vessels in the eye are damaged. It causes blurred or distorted vision and possibly blindness. Treatment involves medication by injecting a drug into the eye (AntiVEGF) or surgery.
Problems in the optic nerve
Smokers are at risk of developing problems with their optic nerves. The optic nerve connects the eye to the brain. Optic nerve damage can lead to blindness. Smoking can increase the chances of someone developing glaucoma, a disease that directly affects the optic nerve.
Uveitis
The uvea is the middle of the three layers that make up the eye. Smoking can lead to a disease that affects this tunic called uveitis. Uveitis is caused when this layer becomes inflamed (becomes red and swollen). This disease causes red eyes, pain and reduced vision.
Graves' disease
This is a thyroid disease. One of the symptoms of Graves' disease is bulging eyes, called exophthalmos. Smokers who suffer from the disease are at risk of aggravating their already aggravated eye condition. They may also lose their vision.
Pregnancy? Smoking can damage our baby's eyes
If we smoke during pregnancy, our baby is 5 times more likely to get bacterial meningitis as a child. This happens when the tissues around the brain become swollen. Meningitis can cause an infection in the eyes and other vision problems.
Smoking during pregnancy also increases the risk of having a premature baby. The premature birth of our baby can lead to a serious eye condition called "retinopathy of prematurity" (ROP). The baby may develop permanent vision loss or blindness.
The American Cancer Society has resources to help people who want to quit smoking.
Avoiding smoking, passive smoking or if you are a smoker, quitting, is definitely the most important thing we can do for the long-term health of our eyes.
