We probably don’t have to tell you that using any tobacco products, such as smoking or vaping, is bad for your health. However, many smokers don’t know just how bad. Did you know that smoking can even harm your eye health? Smoking can aggravate existing conditions, as well as increasing your chances of serious eye problems later in life!
For example:
Dry Eyes
Even basic eye health issues can be made worse by smoking or vaping. Nicotine narrows your blood vessels, including vessels in your eyes. This, in turn, can inhibit tear production. Plus the smoke and heat itself will tend to dry out your eyes, making the condition worse.
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
AMD is the most common cause of blindness among older people. It can happen to anyone, as a person ages and their body starts breaking down. However, studies have shown that smokers are three times as likely to develop severe AMD as they age. The theory is that vascular constriction does long-term damage to the retina, where light focuses at the back of your eye.
Cataracts
Nicotine can also significantly increase your chances of developing cataracts, by as much as 30%-40%. This is also related to nicotine’s tendency to reduce bloodflow to your eyes. In addition, the smoke is an oxidant, and can damage the exterior of your eyes directly.
Cataracts can be corrected via surgery, but it would be much better to reduce your chances of getting cataracts in the first place.
Uveitis
The uvea is part of your eye’s structure, a middle layer in the eye wall. Smoking can cause the uvea to become inflamed, leading to itching, red eye, or even harming your ability to focus. Smokers are around 2 times as likely to develop uveitis than non-smokers.
Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetics are already at a higher risk of eye health problems, and smoking or vaping makes the situation much worse. Retinopathy is another form of damage to the retina, leading to blurry vision or blindness, and it is also aggravated by tobacco use.
Obviously, your best course of action is to quit smoking and vaping. Your overall body health, as well as your eye health, will be so much better for it! However, until you quit, adding more anti-oxidants to your diet can at least reduce some of the damage done by smoking.
If you’re a smoker and haven’t had an eye checkup lately, it’s time! Contact Valley Eyecare Center for an appointment.
