Smoking’s Bad Impact On Vision: 4 Most Common Eye Diseases Linked to Smoking
Toxins present in cigarette smoke end up in the bloodstream which travels throughout the body including the eyes. This can lead to a variety of eye problems such as dry eyes, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration (age-related macular degeneration), and optic nerve problems.
If adequate measures are not taken on time, permanent blindness can also occur in most such cases. In addition, tobacco smoke can also damage the tissues around the eyes, which can cause the rise of the eyelids and puffiness under the eyes.
Eye Diseases That Cause Smoking:
Tobacco smoke contains over 7,000 hazardous chemicals, some of which can be extremely harmful to eye health. Here are some eye diseases that can be caused by smoking.
1. Dry Eyes:
Dry eye occurs when not enough tears are produced to lubricate the surface of the eye. Symptoms of dry eye usually include redness, gritty feeling, trouble with normal vision, and stinging. Dry eye is caused by tobacco smoke because it can break down the lipid layer of the tear film.
2. Macular Degeneration:
Macular degeneration begins with the loss of central vision which makes it difficult for a person to see and read fine and small objects. It becomes less visible over time. Dry macular degeneration is the most common of the two types of macular degeneration (dry and wet). In cases of dry macular degeneration, fatty deposits begin to collect under the light-sensitive cells in the back of the eye (retina). Vision usually worsens slowly in dry macular degeneration. In wet macular degeneration, the small blood vessels under the retina open or leak. This makes it difficult to see and becomes scar tissue.
3. Cataracts:
Regardless of your age, if you smoke, you have an increased risk of developing cataracts. Cataracts create when the eye’s lens becomes cloudy. Cataracts usually get worse as people get older. Cataracts most commonly seen in older people and smokers are opaque and can appear cloudy. This can be corrected by surgery.
4. Glaucoma:
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases caused by increased pressure inside the eye. This pressure usually increases when excess fluid builds up inside the eye. Due to the increased pressure, it damages the optic nerve. The connection between the brain and the eyes is established through the optic nerve. Studies have shown that the more cigarettes a regular smoker smokes, the more likely they are to develop glaucoma.
Also Read: 10 Natural Ways to Cure Gum Disease
What should be done to keep the eyes safe?
Smokers can take some measures to protect their eyes from damage.
1. Quit or Reduce Smoking:
If you want to save your vision then it becomes very important to quit or reduce smoking. It not only helps the smoker to quit smoking but also helps the people around the smoker to protect their eyes from damage.
2. Healthy Eating:
Eating the right foods is really important for keeping our eyes healthy. Foods with Vitamin C, E, Zinc, and Omega-3 fatty acids are good for our eyes. These protect our eyes from getting damaged.
3. Cut Down on Screen Time:
Apart from smoking, there are many other things that can harm the eyes. Staring at the screen for a long time is one such problem among them. Most screens like TV, Smartphone, Laptop, etc emit blue light, which can be extremely harmful to the eyes. Screen time should be reduced.
4. Keep Regular Eye Check-Ups:
Consult an eye doctor on a regular basis. It helps keep your eyes safe. Bad stuff can gather on your eye’s lens, but regular check-ups stop this from hurting your eyes.
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FAQs
Can smoking cause optic nerve damage?
Ans. Yes, smoking can harm the optic nerve, leading to vision problems.
Which is the single most likely eye disease associated with smoking?
Ans. Cataracts are the most commonly linked eye disease to smoking.
Can eye damage from smoking be reversed?
Ans. Unfortunately, the eye damage caused by smoking is often permanent and cannot be fully reversed. Quitting smoking can prevent further harm.
