23 Sep The Impacts of Smoking on Eyesight
Smoking is one of the most dangerous activities for health that can impact the well-being of the body and the eyes. Most people think cancer is the only risk involved with excessive smoking. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Smoking can lead to many other health conditions, including severe damage to eyesight.
Impacts of Smoking on EyeSight
Reports indicate smoking causes eye changes that can lead to loss of vision. However, this health hazard doesn’t stop there. Individuals should realize the full impacts of smoking on eyesight. Therefore, we’ll discuss some of the most crucial elements of them.
Increase in Chances of Age-Related Health Conditions
Studies show that smokers are at a higher risk of age-related complications. Some of the most common diseases you might find smokers develop with growing age include:
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Dry Eye To Cataracts
- Glaucoma
These health conditions can impact the victims and their vision in the long run. Therefore, smokers should avoid excessive smoking.
Cataracts Risk and Smoking
Cataracts are one of the leading reasons for blindness in individuals and impact millions worldwide. Smoking cans double the cataract risk, increasing the chances of going blind with age.
The biggest complication of cataracts is its gradual symptoms; therefore, victims may experience different results because of their health conditions. The most common cataract symptoms include:
- Blurred or double vision
- Faded colors
- Light sensitivity
- Poor night vision
The good news is that cataract surgery is available, affordable, and safe, so people suffering from cataract blindness don’t have to deal with the health condition for long. However, smoking is still no reason to put you at risk of potential blindness.
Smoking and Diabetic Eye Diseases
Smoking damages the human body in almost every area, as diseases like diabetic retinopathy increase. Smoking increases the chances of developing health conditions by 40%. It also increases the chance of health complications, including retinopathy.
This medical condition involves weakened blood vessels around the lining at the back of the eye. This area contains light-sensitive cells required for vision. The blood vessels in this area can leak deep scars, impacting vision.
Smoking and AMD
The macula is responsible for delivering the sharpest images from our eyes. The efficiency of the macula can decrease because of certain health conditions. Smoking is a potential cause of macular degeneration, which can deform its shape, impacting the final image created by the eye. Smokers are 3x likelier to develop AMD compared to non-smokers. It puts smokers at a higher risk, even with minimal smoking habits.
Smoking Doesn’t Impact Smokers alone
Most individuals are aware of the health damage to others. Passive smoking is the leading cause of many health problems. These include:
- Heart disease
- Lung cancer
- Stroke, etc.
The risk is much higher for children because they have more compromised immunity. Smoking around children can cause:
- Asthma attaches
- Bronchitis
- Ear infections
- Increased risk of SIDS.
- Pneumonia
Vaping vs. Smoking: Does it Work?
Many people believe that vaping is a safer option for smokers. It provides an alternative way to meet your daily nicotine requirements without the tar and other harmful compounds. However, these vaping devices aren’t as safe as perceived.
Studies reveal that the liquid used in these e-cigarettes puts users at a greater risk of injury. It’s best to avoid using tobacco and nicotine-consuming products. It would be best if you worked on improving your eye health by exercising daily, eating better, and getting sufficient sleep.
However, if you still need expert advice to minimize the impacts of smoking on eyesight, connect with our experts at Total Eye Care. We have the best eye professionals to provide the best solution to eye diseases. It’s the perfect option to ensure your eye health, whether you are a smoker or not. Contact us today at:
- Total Eye Care – Colleyville
817.416.0333
- Total Eye Care – Keller
817.431.4900