Is smoking harmful to my eyesight and vision?
Smoking cigarettes causes harm to parts of the eyes that are essential for maintaining clear vision and clear eyesight. As a result, your vision may become cloudy, your field of vision may be reduced, or even your eye sight may be lost entirely if the damage is severe.
The effects of smoking cigarettes include:
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Retina: The inner layer of the eye is lined with a delicate, light-sensitive tissue called retina.
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In an eye, the lens is the clear part of the eye that allows light to enter the retina and enables the eye to focus on objects at different distances.
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As the part of the eye that provides sharp vision, the macula is the most sensitive portion of the retina.
What are the risks associated with smoking and vision loss?
The use of cigarettes can cause serious eye diseases such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Smoking can increase your risk of developing two serious eye diseases:
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It occurs when the normally clear lens of the eye becomes cloudy, causing a loss of vision.
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Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive loss of vision in the central portion of the eye caused by gradual destruction of the macula.
The risk of cataract development is two to three times higher in smokers than in nonsmokers, and the risk of AMD development is four times higher in smokers than in nonsmokers.
How Does Smoking Affect Eye Diseases?
In addition to cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), smoking cigarettes can also cause two serious eye diseases. These eye diseases include the following symptoms:
Symptoms of cataracts:
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Blurred or cloudy vision
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A faded appearance to the colors
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A high sensitivity to light
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Having difficulty seeing at night
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Having a double vision
In AMD’s case:
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Inability to see details straight ahead due to loss of central vision
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Your central vision appears blurry or wavy
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Faces are difficult to recognize
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Reading or performing other tasks in front of you requires more light
A regular eye examination is extremely important to increase the likelihood of catching and treating these conditions as early as possible as both eye diseases can present with no symptoms in their early stages.
Is it possible to develop cataracts as a result of smoking?
Smoking cigarettes contributes to cataract development. People who smoke cigarettes are twice as likely as those who do not smoke to develop cataracts.
There is a cataract in the eye when the lens, which is normally clear, becomes cloudy. Cataracts prevent light from entering the retina due to the clouding of the lens.
There is a high chance of developing cataracts as you age, and your risk increases even further if you smoke. Cataracts typically develop gradually over several years.
When cataracts are first diagnosed, you may not be aware of any symptoms. However, as cataracts worsen, they can be very difficult to see.
The risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is increased by smoking.
Smoking cigarettes can contribute to AMD. Smokers have a four times higher risk of developing AMD than non-smokers.
AMD affects the macula, which is the most sensitive part of the retina as well as the part of the eye that assists in sharp vision. The retina is the delicate, light-sensitive tissue that lines the inside of the eye.
There is a gradual destruction of the macula with AMD, which can eventually result in a loss of vision in the center of the eye. This can create problems seeing faces, reading, driving, and performing choruses.
If you smoke cigarettes, your risk of developing AMD increases as you grow older. AMD can progress quickly or slowly, depending on the person and their risk.
In light of AMD’s prevalence, especially in older adults, and the fact that symptoms often do not manifest for some time, it is important to have regular eye examinations.
Smoking and Graves’ Ophthalmopathy: Is smoke a cause or a symptom of these conditions?
There is still a need for further research to determine whether smoking cigarettes can result in Graves’ disease-related ophthalmopathy. Graves’ ophthalmopathy, also known as Graves’ eye disease or thyroid eye disease, is an overactive thyroid disease that can cause symptoms in the eyes such as irritation, sensitivity, double vision, and other symptoms.
Researchers have not found strong evidence that smoking causes Graves’ ophthalmopathy in light of research conducted on the relationship between smoking and the condition. However, some evidence suggests that smoking cigarettes can put you at an increased risk for Graves’ eye disease if you have Graves’ disease. More research is required to understand how smoking contributes to Graves’ ophthalmopathy.
Does smoking contribute to the onset or progression of diabetic retinopathy?
The onset or progression of retinopathy in diabetics can be predicted based on further research. People with diabetes who suffer from diabetic retinopathy may lose sight and become blind because diabetic retinopathy affects the blood vessels in their retina, a delicate, light-sensitive tissue that lines the inside of their eyes.
What is the risk of glaucoma if you smoke?
The possibility of smoking cigarettes causing glaucoma requires further research. Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can lead to extreme vision loss and blindness through damage to a nerve in the back of the eye known as the optic nerve.
There has been no conclusive evidence that smoking causes glaucoma based on the data collected from research conducted on the topic.
What benefits can I expect from quitting smoking?
Quitting smoking lowers the risk of developing cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
Changes in your vision can be a very stressful experience. If you smoke cigarettes and are concerned about your eyesight, you should consult your health care professional.
