It is estimated that 34.6 per cent of adults in India are smokers and smoking kills over one million people in the country annually. While many people are aware of the adverse consequences of smoking (cancer, respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, etc.), few are aware that smoking can equally affect the eyes and lead to vision loss.
Toxins present in cigarette smoke end up getting into the bloodstream which is distributed across the body including the eyes. This can cause different types of eye problems like dry eye, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration and optic nerve issues. The majority of such cases can also lead to permanent blindness if adequate measures are not taken in time. In addition, tobacco smoke can also affect the tissues present around the eyes causing disorder of the eyelids and under-eye puffiness.
Types of eye problems that smoking can cause
Tobacco smoke contains over 7,000 dangerous chemicals some of which can be extremely detrimental to eye health. Here are some of the eye disorders that can result from smoking:
Dry Eye: This occurs when a sufficient amount of tears cannot be produced by the eyes to lubricate the eye surface. Symptoms of the dry eye usually include redness, gritty feeling, general discomfort and stinging. Tobacco smoke is a major contributor to dry eye as it can break down the lipid layer of the tear film.
Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): AMD starts with a loss of central vision, which makes it difficult for a person to see fine details and read. Over the passage of time, vision loss increases considerably. Among the two types of AMD (dry and wet), dry AMD happens to be quite common. In the case of dry AMD, fatty deposits begin to assemble under the light-sensing cells in the back of the eye (retina). In dry AMD, vision loss usually gets worse gradually. When it comes to wet AMD, tiny blood vessels under the retina break open or leak. This changes vision and causes scar tissue to form.
Cataract: Smoking increases the risk of cataracts at any age. Appearing mostly in the elderly and those who smoke, cataracts can cause opaque and blurred vision which can be corrected by surgery.
Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases caused by increased pressure inside the eye. The increased pressure is usually due to the build-up of excess fluid inside the eye. The primary concern with the increased pressure is that it damages the optic nerve, which is the only connection between the brain and the eyes. A study in 2018, found out that the more cigarettes regular smokers smoked, the greater are the chances of developing glaucoma.
What can be done to protect eyes
There are quite a few measures smokers can take to protect their eyes from damage. Here are a few tips:
Quit or reduce smoking: An obvious suggestion is to quit or reduce smoking. This not only helps the person who smokes but even those around him to protect their eyes from damage.
Healthy diet: Diet plays an important role in the overall health of the eyes. A diet rich in vitamins C, E, zinc, omega 3 fatty acids, etc. can help in reducing chances of damage to the eyes.
Reduced screen time: Apart from smoking, other practices and activities can cause damage to the eyes. Looking at screens for an extended period of time is one of them. Most screens such as TVs, smartphones, laptops, etc. emit blue light, which can be extremely harmful to the eyes. One must ensure limited screen time and also exercise the eyes regularly to reduce damage.
Regular eye examination: Regular eye check-ups are important to keep the eyes safe. Toxic elements can accumulate on the lens of the eyes and it is only through regular check-ups one can avoid damage to the eyes.
(The writer is Retina Surgeon, Sadhuram Eye Hospital, Hyderabad)
