Eye Conditions in Adults Associated with Smoking

• Age-Related Macular Degeneration - This condition affects the retina which is responsible for central vision, required for tasks such as driving and reading. Smoking negatively affects the blood supply to the retina, reducing one’s chances of seeing minute details. Individuals affected with this condition are unable to drive, cannot easily recognize faces, cannot read, confuse medication labels, and tend to fall more easily.

• Cataract - Several studies have shown that smokers double their risk of developing cataracts (clouding of the eye’s natural lenses). Furthermore, this prospective study revealed that cigarette smoking increases the occurrence of cataract in men.

• Uveitis - This eye condition is characterized by inflammation of the uvea, the eye’s middle layer of tissue. In a study published in Science Daily, smokers were found out to have 2.2 times more likely to develop symptoms of uveitis such as eye redness, sensitivity to light, and blurred vision.

If you’re living near Las Cruces, Alamogordo, Deming, Ruidoso, and nearby areas, visit us at the Fillmore Eye Clinic so we can help you create a smoking cessation plan to reduce your chances of vision loss. Call us at 1-800-323-4764. You can also fill out this contact form for personal consultations. We look forward to your visit!