When it comes to smoking, there is a long list of devastating effects on our health. Smoking causes many eye diseases, from macular degeneration to strabismus in infants. Ophthalmology Specialist Op. Dr. Seyda Atabay; She drew attention to the damage caused by cigarettes to the eyes and made important warnings.

Smoking significantly increases the risk of catching many irreversible eye diseases and is such a bad habit for health that it can cause permanent vision loss or blindness. Cigarette smoke contains as many as 5,000 active toxic compounds, including aromatic polycyclic hydrocarbons, tar, tar, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and heavy metals. Smoking is directly linked to the two leading causes of vision loss, cataracts and macular degeneration.

Does smoking hurt the eyes?

It is a well-known fact that smoking is harmful to general health. The share of smoking in the occurrence of diseases that result in death in the world is quite large. Smoking, which is the primary perpetrator of health problems such as cancer, heart and blood vessels, poses a great danger to the eyes as a window to the world. Especially affecting the left eye lens and retinal cells, smoking causes vision loss in the following years. It also greatly increases the risk of developing cataracts and macular degeneration. If you are a smoker over the age of 50, you are more likely to experience smoking-related blindness.

How does smoking affect the eyes?

Smoking or being exposed to cigarette smoke means taking toxins into the body. These toxins disrupt the natural balance of blood flow and cause blockages in capillaries. This blockage in the capillaries prevents the substances necessary for eye health from reaching the eye through the capillaries. Instead, harmful substances reach the eyes and cause permanent damage to eye health.

What is the link between smoking and cataracts?

Studies have proven that when smokers and nonsmokers are compared, the risk of developing cataracts is doubled in smokers. This risk can be up to three times higher for those who smoke more than one pack a day. Studies have also proven that there is a special relationship between cataracts and the amount of cigarettes smoked. The more cigarettes smoked, the greater the chance of developing cataracts. Cataracts occur when the naturally clear lens of the eyes becomes cloudy over time. This age-related condition causes blurred vision, pale colors, and increased sensitivity to brightness. Experts believe that smoking contributes to cataracts by altering lens cells through oxidation. There is also evidence that smoking leads to the accumulation of heavy metals such as cadmium in the lens. 

Smoking causes yellow spot disease

Yellow spot disease is one of the most age-related eye diseases. The yellow spot is the structure located in the center of the retina at the back of the eye and provides color vision. When damaged, it causes vision loss. The biggest symptom of the disease is blurred vision. And also;

• Deterioration in visual quality,
• Difficulty in reading,
• Inability to select objects,
• Difficulty recognizing faces,
• Sensitivity to light,
• Flashes of light,
• Decreased night vision,
• The brown spot seen while looking is also one of the symptoms caused by macular degeneration.

Smoking also greatly increases a person’s risk of developing macular degeneration. Studies have proven that smokers are 2 to 4 times more likely to develop this eye problem than those who have never smoked. As with cataracts, the more cigarettes smoked, the higher the risk of developing macular degeneration. In addition to all this, people who do not smoke but are frequently exposed to environmental cigarette smoke will also have an increased risk of this eye disease. Macular degeneration involves the deterioration of the macula, the central part of the retina that allows perceiving fine details. When the macula wears off, people see blurred, distorted, or yellow, blind spots in their central vision. Smoking can promote macular degeneration by blocking blood flow to the retina. Smoking can also seriously increase the harmful effects of oxidation on cells in the macula. Exposure to smoke as a passive smoker invites macular degeneration. As such, the incidence of yellow spot disease, which is the most common cause of vision loss, is increasing. Moreover, smoking reduces the effectiveness of the laser used in the treatment of yellow spot disease.

 It increases the risk of cataracts

The damage caused by smoking to the eyes does not end with counting. Cataract, another eye disease, is caused by exposure to smoking. Moreover, even being a passive smoker is enough to be caught in cataracts. Because smoking causes cataracts by reducing the level of antioxidant factors. Clinical studies show that smoking affects antioxidants such as superoxide, dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, which provide the transparency of the lens. The more cigarette smoke a person is exposed to, the greater the risk of developing cataracts.

May cause strabismus and blindness in infants

Smoking can cause dryness in the eyes, deterioration of the eye muscles, increased eye pressure and protrusion of the eyeball. In addition to all these, smoking during pregnancy harms not only the person but also the baby. The risk of strabismus increases in the babies of mothers who smoke during pregnancy. Smoking, which causes premature birth, can even cause blindness in babies. In order to protect eye health, it is necessary to quit smoking and not be exposed to smoke, even passively. Most importantly, if it is felt that there is something out of the ordinary in the eyes, it is necessary to consult a specialist doctor.

What are other eye health problems related to smoking?

In addition, smoking can lead to the following eye problems;

• Diabetic retinopathy: This problem is a common complication of diabetes. It affects the small blood vessels of the retina in the eye. The blood vessels in the retina can rupture, leak, or become clogged. This can also affect vision over time. In some people with diabetic retinopathy, serious damage can occur to the eye when new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina.
• Dry eye syndrome: This disorder occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears. Smoking can also worsen the symptoms of this pathology, as it causes dry eyes and irritation.
• Optic nerve damage: Smoking can cause serious problems with this nerve, which connects the eye with the brain and can lead to blindness.
• Amblyopia: This problem, also known as amblyopia, is a vision problem that rarely occurs in both eyes and is severely obstructed without any disease in the visual pathways and eye. Smoking can cause a great deal of lazy eye.
• Conjunctivitis: The inflammation (inflammation) of the white part of the eye (sclera) and the layer (conjunctiva) that covers the inner part of the eyelids and is in the form of a thin membrane is called conjunctivitis. Smoking is directly related to conjunctivitis.

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There is still hope for people who want to avoid smoking-related vision loss. Quitting smoking increases the chances of avoiding eye diseases. For example, the risk of developing macular degeneration after 1 year in people who quit smoking is reduced by 6-7%. After 5 years, this risk decreases to 5%. The same is true for cataracts or other eye problems. Although very slowly, the damage caused by smoking to the eyes will heal over time. In addition to all these, the following situations should also be taken into account;

• Protective glasses should be used against the harmful UV rays of the sun.
• The eyes should be rested after reading a book or any activity that strains the eyes, such as the television or computer.
• Healthy eating habits that help maintain good visual acuity should be followed meticulously.
• Attention should always be paid to eye hygiene.
• Blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels should be checked to detect possible symptoms of eye disorders.

We are waiting for you at our hospital to determine the damage caused by smoking and to create a treatment plan with our specialists.

January 2023