GENERAL EYE CARE, DISEASES OF THE EYE, LAKE EYE Did You Know Smoking Can Damage Eye Health? November is lung cancer awareness month, which is a good time to make people aware of how smoking can also damage eyesight. Yes, smoking can promote and accelerate some very serious diseases that can lead to dramatic vision loss, even blindness. If that’s news to you, then you owe it to your peepers to read on. The primary eye diseases associated with smoking are: Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) – AMD describes deterioration of the macula, the tiny area within the retina that controls central vision, fine details and sudden changes in light. Without central vision, you can’t read, drive, watch TV, perform fine tasks or even recognize faces, so its impact upon one’s life is tremendous. The damage caused by AMD is permanent. According to the CDC, smokers are twice as likely to develop AMD than nonsmokers. In addition, smokers may develop AMD up to 10 years earlier than nonsmokers. Cataracts – Cataracts are a clouding of the lens of the eye. Over time, cataracts cause blurred, muted vision, poor night vision and sensitivity to light. It is the number one cause of blindness worldwide. Smokers are 2-3 times more likely to develop cataracts than nonsmokers. Quitting smoking can help prevent developing cataracts. Diabetic Retinopathy – Retinopathy, in which blood vessels within the retina become damaged and bleed, is most common in people with diabetes. Smoking greatly increases your chances of developing diabetes and accelerates the pace of vision-stealing diabetic retinopathy. General Vision Damage – A recent study suggests that heavy smoking may actually damage smokers’ ability to see color and contrast. Though the participating smokers were relatively young (ages 25-45), they showed significant deterioration in their ability to identify colors and contrast than nonsmokers. QUITTING SMOKING The CDC reports that roughly 34 million Americans smoke and over 16 million smokers have some form of smoking-related disease. While that is frightening percentage, quitting smoking now can improve lung function after just one month, and reduce the risk of AMD by 6% in a single year. Even if you already have AMD, quitting smoking can slow the disease and help prevent or delay further vision loss. Quitting also reduces your chance of developing cataracts and diabetes, making it a rapid and effective way to protect your vision and your health, no matter how long you have smoked. The CDC offers guidance that can help you quit. PROTECTING YOUR VISION TODAY AMD, cataracts, retinopathy and other vision-stealing diseases tend to produce little to no symptoms early in their development, when they can be successfully arrested, corrected or managed. Nearly all vision loss can be prevented if treated in time. If you haven’t had a comprehensive dilated eye exam in a while, make an appointment today, particularly if you smoke. With a timely diagnosis, you can help ensure that your eyes remain clear and healthy through all of life’s adventures. SHARE Protecting Your Vision from Diabetic Eye Disease ABOUT THE PRACTICE SERVICES PRECISION OPTICS RESOURCE & PATIENT INFO LOCATIONS (352) 775-1539 © 2016 Lake Eye Associates. All right reserved. THE VILLAGES: 1400 US Hwy 441 N, Ste. 521, The Villages, FL 32159 LADY LAKE: 801 CR 466, Suite 102, Sunset Plaza, Lady Lake, FL 32159 TAVARES: 1852 Mayo Drive, Tavares, FL 32778 LEESBURG: 601 E. Dixie Avenue, Medical Plaza 201, Leesburg, FL 34748 WILDWOOD: 5431 SR 44, Suite 1, Sumter Summit, Wildwood, FL 34785 Privacy Policy and LEP Notice | Accessibility | COVID Safety