Put Down the Cigarette to Protect Your Eyesight, Quit Smoking Today to Have a Better Sight Tomorrow

Many studies have found that quitting smoking reduces the risk of developing eye diseases. If you think you've been a regular smoker or are on your way to quitting, your eye health should be your priority.

Smoking kills. Smoking is injurious to health. Stop smoking. Or quit smoking. Have you heard of these slogans? They indicate the danger that smoking causes to every part of your body and your eyes are no exception. Talk to the best ophthalmologist doctors in Jaipur for your eye problems. It is an addiction that is hard to conquer for most.

Tobacco smoke is produced through cigarettes and other tobacco products. Tobacco smoke contains more than 4000 substances such as carcinogens, irritants and inflammatory substances. These products can harm the person who smokes. However, it also has significant effects on people exposed to tobacco smoke.

Why is Smoking Not Good for Your Overall Health?

Generally, smoking affects almost every organ of the human body. It can also be the root cause of many diseases such as cancer, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis, diabetes, and respiratory diseases including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. If you are facing any problem with your eyes, connect with eye specialist near me to discuss your issues. Everyone knows smoking can cause lung and heart diseases, but fewer people- whether smokers or non-smokers- know the consequences of smoking other than this.

Second-hand smoking can be just as harmful as the person actively smoking. Inhaling smoke involuntarily can be hazardous to one’s health just as the doer. It can lead to-

•  the stroke

•  lung cancer

•  acute respiratory infection

•  middle ear disease

•  severe asthma

What Are the Eye-related Problems Caused by Smoking?

Cataracts: Cataracts are a major cause of blindness. Several studies show that the risk of cataract formation in smokers is 2 to 3 times higher than in non-smokers. The more frequently you smoke, the greater your risk of developing cataracts. Talk to the best retina specialist in Jaipur to check your eye retina and get it treated by the best doctors.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD): AMD is a disease in which the central vision of the eye is affected. The vision responsible for clear vision, reading, driving, and facial recognition is central vision. 

Smoking constricts the blood vessels of the retina and increases blood pressure in that area. Compared to non-smokers, smoking triples the risk of AMD. The risk of AMD also increases with increasing age and will be five times more dangerous for smokers.

Uveitis: In this condition, inflammation is caused in the central layer of the eye, called the choroid. It develops due to the chemical present in cigarettes. This can lead to glaucoma, cataracts, retinal detachment and eventually loss of vision. The risk of developing uveitis is 2.2 times greater in smokers than in non-smokers.

Glaucoma: Glaucoma damages the optic nerve which is not beneficial for good vision. Due to smoking, there is an increase in blood pressure, cataracts, and diabetes, all of which are risk factors for glaucoma.

Diabetic retinopathy: Studies show that smoking causes a 40% increase in diabetic retinopathy along with diabetes. Diabetes impairs the blood vessels of the retina and leads to blindness.

Dry eyes: Smoking can increase eye irritation, burning, and redness along with dry eyes. Consult the best eye Ophthalmologist near me if you are experiencing dry eyes that are hindering your work. Let them help you treat your dry eye problem with the right treatment.

Graves' disease: This is a condition characterized by inflammation of the tissues and muscles of the eye and accumulation of fat in the eye socket due to an autoimmune condition affecting the thyroid gland. There is evidence from several studies that smokers have a higher risk of thyroid eye disease than non-smokers.

Infant Eye Disease (if the mother smoked during pregnancy): Smoking contains dangerous toxins that pass through the placenta during pregnancy. These toxins have the potential to harm the fetus.

If you smoke during pregnancy, it can lead to the premature birth of the baby. This increases the risk of a serious eye problem called "retinopathy of prematurity".

What Should Be Done to Keep the Eyes Safe?

Smokers can take some measures to protect their eyes from damage.

• Quit or reduce smoking- If you want to save your vision then it becomes very important to quit or reduce smoking. It not only helps the person smoking but also the people around him to protect their eyes from damage.

•  Healthy Eating- Eating plays an important role in the overall health of the eyes. A diet rich in Vitamin C, E, Zinc, Omega 3 fatty acids etc. can help in reducing the chances of damage to the eyes.

• Cut down on screen time- Apart from smoking, many other things can harm the eyes. Staring at the screen for a long time is one such problem among them. Most screens like TV, Smartphone, Laptop etc. throw blue light, which can be harmful to the eyes. Screen time should be reduced. Regular eye exercises should be done to protect the eyes from damage.

• Keep regular eye check-ups - To keep the eyes safe, regular eye check-ups are necessary. Toxic elements can accumulate on the lens of the eye and only regular checkups can prevent damage to the eyes.

Conclusion

In addition to deteriorating eye health, smoking contributes significantly to the occurrence of other diseases. Sometimes such diseases can be fatal. It is always better to quit smoking or seek professional help to get rid of the habit of smoking to save vision as well as other health benefits. On Health Gennie, a doctor booking app, you can find the best doctors onboard to tackle all your health problems in one click on our app.

Disclaimer : 
The information on this blog is not a substitute for any professional medical diagnosis or treatment. The blog contains text, images or graphics are solely for informational purpose. Before implementing the information mentioned above, seek the advice of a professional doctor regarding any doubt or question you may have about the medical condition or treatment. Also, take the advice of a professional health care provider before making changes in your health care routine.