Smokers are twice as likely as non-smokers to lose their sight. Yet the link between smoking and visual impairment is not always recognized. “In fact, only a fifth of smokers realize that smoking can cause blindness or visual impairment” points out the Association of Optometrists of Great Britain who launches an information campaign to encourage smokers to quit smoking.
5 eye problems related to smoking
Smoking and exposure to smoke greatly increase your chances of developing eye disease.
- AMD : Smokers are up to four times more likely to develop this disease which affects the central part of vision, which makes daily activities or even face recognition difficult.
- Cataract : smoking doubles the risk of developing the disease. In addition, it grows faster than in non-smokers.
- Uveitis Smokers are at least twice as likely to develop this condition characterized by inflammation of the middle layer of the eyeball, which causes pain and changes in vision that can lead to blindness.
- Dry eye : arguably the most common eye disease in smokers because the components of cigarette smoke are particularly irritating to the eyes.
- The diabetic retinopathy : this disease which affects diabetics is a major cause of blindness in people over 50. Smoking doubles the risk of developing the disease.
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