Effects of smoking on eyesight

The article was professionally consulted by MSc Hoang Thanh Nga - Department of Medical Examination and Internal Medicine, Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital.

Scientific studies have shown that giving up the habit of smoking will help reduce the risk of eye diseases, especially for those who already have and are suffering from eye disease, will keep the disease in good condition. steady state and does not increase the risk of complications.

Along with alcohol, tobacco has also become a leading cause of health problems in humans and a leading cause of premature death. The habit of smoking can harm almost every organ in the body, including the eyes, heart and cancer.
With the question of whether smoking affects the eyes, please confirm that yes, not only affects but also has the ability to cause many problems and dangerous diseases of the eyes, which are:
Causes Cataracts Cataract is one of the diseases that cause vision loss when the lens is cloudy, this is one of the diseases that can lead to blindness if not treated in time. . According to statistics in Vietnam conducted in 2006, more than 70% of blind people are due to cataracts.
Scientific studies also show that smokers have twice the risk of cataracts as non-smokers, so the more you smoke, the more likely you will get cataracts. high.
Macular Degeneration Macular degeneration is a condition in which patients lose vision in the central area, also known as the macula due to damage to the retina, the disease is common in subjects over 50 years of age. With this disease, the patient can still participate in daily activities, but reading or driving can be affected.

Experts have warned smokers that they will be 3 times more likely to develop macular degeneration than those who have never smoked and especially for women over 80 who still have the habit. Smoking habit, the risk of disease will be 5 times higher, this is also the main cause of blindness in people over 55 years old, smoking is very harmful to the eyes.
Uveitis This is one of the very common eye diseases, which can cause complete vision loss if not treated properly and promptly. The uvea consists of 3 parts: iris, ciliary body and choroid, if one of these 3 parts is damaged, it will cause uveitis and as a result, the patient will have cataracts, glaucoma. pressure or atrophy of the eyeball...
The latest studies have shown that people who smoke a lot will increase the risk of uveitis 3 times more than the average person.
Diabetic retinopathy Diabetic retinopathy damages the blood vessels of the retina and causes complete loss of vision. In developed countries, it is the leading cause of blindness. According to statistics in the United States, there are about 5 million people aged 40 and older with diabetic retinopathy, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this number is likely to increase to about 16. million people by 2050.
The habit of smoking will double the risk of diabetes and diabetic complications, including diabetic retinopathy, and in particular, smokers will be more likely to develop diabetes. 4 times more likely to go blind in old age than non-smokers.
Dry eyes Dry eye occurs when tears cannot provide adequate moisture to the eyes, causing the patient to always have a burning, burning, red and itchy eye. Cigarette smoke is an irritant that increases dry eyes, so even non-smokers who are exposed to tobacco smoke on a regular basis are at high risk of dry eyes.
Eye disease in babies Newborns can have eye disorders if pregnant women have a habit of smoking during pregnancy, children may have crossed eyes, underdeveloped optic nerve and risk of blindness. high beam. In particular, women with a habit of smoking during pregnancy will tend to give birth prematurely and babies have a very high risk of retinopathy and complications.

The eyes are a very important part of the human body, making it easier for people to live and express their emotions to people around, to protect the eyes from negative effects, it is necessary to:
The eyes are not only a part of the body that helps you more convenient in daily life, but also a place to express emotions and feelings to people around. If you want to take better care of your "window to the soul", you should practice the following eye protection habits:
Clean your hands before touching your eyes or other parts of the body to help prevent eye diseases. Take good care of your contact lenses and use them correctly. Limit plastic surgery related to the eye part. Wear eye protection when going out or frequently in contact with equipment that is harmful to your eyes. Use healthy foods, add vitamin A to the body found in vegetables and fruits in daily dishes. Maintain a daily exercise routine to help reduce stress and improve blood sugar and blood circulation. Control blood sugar. Relax your eyes after every working hour. No smoking. Periodic eye exams. The eyes are a very important part, affecting many aspects of life from health to work, family and relationships... Therefore, it is necessary to proactively protect and take care to protect them. keep your eyes healthy.
Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the hospitals that not only ensures professional quality with a team of leading medical doctors, modern equipment and technology, but also stands out for its examination and consultation services. comprehensive and professional medical consultation and treatment; civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space.