{"id":210,"date":"2019-09-28T20:35:09","date_gmt":"2019-09-28T20:35:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eyedoctorsite.com\/blog\/?p=210"},"modified":"2019-09-28T20:35:09","modified_gmt":"2019-09-28T20:35:09","slug":"can-smoking-affect-my-vision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eyedoctorsite.com\/blog\/can-smoking-affect-my-vision\/","title":{"rendered":"Can smoking affect my vision?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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It is well known that smoking (whether it is with cigarettes, cigars, or pipes) can cause severe heart and lung problems, cancer, strokes and other diseases. However, many people do not know that smoking is just as dangerous for your eyes as it is for the rest of your body.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There have been many recent studies that have proven that smoking causes a number of eye diseases. Here is a list of some of the ways smoking will affect your eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Age Related Macular Degeneration –  is an eye disease that distorts central vision. You need central vision to see objects clearly and for common tasks such as reading, recognizing faces, and driving.There are two forms of ARMD: dry ARMD and wet ARMD. Macular degeneration begins in the dry form, and sometimes progresses to the more advanced wet form, where vision loss can be very rapid if untreated. . If you smoke, you are twice as likely to develop AMD compared with a nonsmoker.<\/li>
  2. Cataracts – occur when the naturally clear lens inside each eye becomes cloudy. This will result in blurry vision, halos around lights, and yellowish changes in color perception. If you smoke, you are two to three times more likely to develop cataracts compared with a nonsmoker.<\/li>
  3. Dry eyes – is the result of inadequate tear production and or increased tear evaporation. This results in the surface of the eye becoming dry and causing blurred vision, irritation, redness, sensitivity to light and a burning sensation in the eyes.  Smoking makes all of these symptoms worse.<\/li>
  4. Diabetic retinopathy – is the result of abnormal or damaged blood vessels in the retina, which is in the back of the eye. It causes blurry or distorted vision and can result in blindness. The treatment for diabetic retinopathy includes medication, injections into the eye and surgery. Smokers who also have diabetes have a significantly higher risk of getting diabetic retinopathy. <\/li>
  5. Glaucoma – is when the optic nerve gets damaged from increased pressure inside the eye. This results is gradual progressive loss of peripheral vision and if untreated or not responsive to treatment, will result in permanent blindness. The negative effect on the blood circulation caused by smoking will cause and progress glaucoma damage to the eye at a much more rapid rate than a nonsmoker.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    There are additional studies that suggest smoking also can cause uveitis (inflammation inside the eye) and loss of vision from Grave\u2019s disease (hyperactive thyroid.) Smoking has also been shown to cause premature labor during pregnancy, resulting in the baby being born blind from retinopathy of prematurity. Also, If you smoke while pregnant, your baby is five times more likely to get bacterial meningitis as a child, which can cause brain damage as well as blindness.
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The risk of eye disease and vision loss can be lowered if you::<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    • Quit smoking!<\/li>
    • Eat healthy foods (including green leafy vegetables, fruits and foods high in vitamins C, E, and beta carotene).<\/li>
    • Control blood pressure and cholesterol.<\/li>
    • Exercise regularly<\/li>
    • Visit your eye care professional annually<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Remember: the best way to protect your sight from damage linked to smoking is to quit or never start smoking!
      <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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