Over the decades, smoking has been known for lung and heart diseases. However, most people have yet to understand that smoking can cause eye problems leading to vision loss or blindness.
Smoking and Eye Problems
Tobacco smoking harms every body part by penetrating organs via the bloodstream. For this matter, it means our eyes are vulnerable to damages caused by smoking, as are the heart and lungs.
Over the decades, research has been done to understand the harm and effects smoking has on human eyes. With results from research done with various doctors, let’s check an overview of David Robinson Ophthalmologist, on smoking effect on human eyes. As we get older, the chances of cataracts increase, but the case is double for tobacco smokers. The longer you smoke, the higher the risks.
- Macular Degeneration
It’s the name given to a group of degeneration diseases if the retina causes progressive, painless loss of vision and the ability to see things. Macular Degeneration causes permanent and irreversible effects ( cure yet to be found). The effects tend to be worse for females who spent most of their lifeline smoking. Such females over 80years are 5.5 susceptible to macular degeneration.
- Uveitis
It’s a lesser-known eye disease. As per research, it tends to be 2.2 times more likely to occur in smokers than non-smokers. Uveitis occurs when the middle layer of an eye becomes more inflamed. This eye disease is also associated with the risks of damaging the retina and Iris. It, in turn, increases the risks of retinal detachment, cataracts, and glaucoma.
- Retinopathy
In line with smoking, David Robinson, Ophthalmologist, can attest that smoking doubles the risks of developing diabetes which can cause retinopathy. It’s a disease that damages the blood vessels in the eye, which may cause complete vision loss.
- Dry Eye Syndrome
It’s a seemingly less severe eye problem but very difficult to treat or live with. Smoking is an eye irritant, causing itching, eye redness, irritation and eye discomfort. This dry eye syndrome and its effects are twice for smokers and immediate persons exposed to tobacco smoke.
With many risks associated with smoking, it exposes its risks to you and the unborn babies of pregnant smokers. When the dangerous toxins from tobacco enter an expectant mothers bloodstream, it flows directly to the placenta ( the baby’s lifeline whilst in the womb). It can harm the unborn baby eye permanently. This common effect of smoking for pregnant mothers is called strabismus. This effect prevents the development of the optic nerve, which leads to blindness in children.
Conclusion
That’s how smoking can affect your eyes. with this knowledge about how harmful smoking can be to your eyes, and it’s never too late to quit smoking. Getting rid of this habit allows your body to heal itself, and you’ll feel better knowing your body is in an optimal state. For more guidance with eye care, you can schedule an appointment with David Robinson, Ophthalmologist. He’s always there for an eye exam and ready to discuss the harmful effects of smoking on your eye. He’ll also show you the best way forward.
