Smoking puts you at high risk for various health threats, including lung disease, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Apart from these conditions, this habit is also bad for the eyes. Below are some possible effects of smoking that may be slowed down or reduced with routine eye care.

How Smoking Can Damage the Eyes

1. Dry Eyes

Tobacco and cigarette smoke contain chemicals that can irritate the eyes by speeding up tear evaporation. Since tears keep your eyes lubricated, their loss causes you to feel a stinging or burning sensation, sensitivity to light, and blurred vision, among others. 

2. Cataracts

Smoking increases your risk of developing cataracts, a clouding in the lens of your eyes. A cataract forms when the tissue in the lens breaks down, resulting in haziness or cloudiness that impacts vision. An eye care specialist will perform surgery to remedy this issue.

3. Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration, also known as age-related macular degeneration, causes you to lose central vision because of the damaged macula, a part of the retina. Smokers are at twice the risk for this disease and may develop it 5.5 years earlier than nonsmokers due to cigarettes or tobacco smoke. Routine examination by an eye care specialist lets you spot this visual impairment early on.

4. Diabetic Retinopathy

Smoking is one cause of Type 2 diabetes, and people with diabetes who smoke have more trouble keeping their condition manageable. It also puts them at risk for retinopathy, an eye disease that can lead to blindness. Diabetes damages the blood vessels in the retina, impairing your vision.

5. Uveitis

This condition happens when the uvea, the middle layer of the eye wall, becomes irritated and inflamed. Inflammation may be due to the toxic chemicals in cigarette and tobacco smoke. If left untreated, uveitis can damage the retina and iris and, eventually, cause vision loss.

Besides quitting smoking, proper eye care ensures your vision remains good. Let Walton Eye Care of Monroe, GA, help you. From eye exams to cataract surgery, this optical center has a team of professionals providing the best services throughout the area. Reach out at (770) 267-4561 to set an appointment, or view their full list of offerings online.