Most people know that smoking is the leading preventable cause of death globally, and tobacco is a significant cause of heart disease and cancer. What you might not know is that smoking can also affect your eyes. You can protect your eyes from the issues described below by kicking the smoking habit and visiting an eye doctor for proper vision care. 

What Can Happen to Eyes From Smoking?

1. Cataracts

While anyone at any age can get cataracts, the risk of developing this film or clouding of the eye's natural lens is significantly higher in people who smoke. Cataracts cause blurred vision, requiring surgery to correct.

2. Macular Degeneration

The retina is the part of the eye responsible for the sharp vision necessary for reading and driving. Macular degeneration is a disease that affects the retina, damaging it and causing a loss of central vision. Smoking increases the chances of suffering from this eye disorder. Quitting smoking and getting regular vision care can significantly reduce your disease risk. There is no cure once you have it, but treatments can stop it from progressing. 

3. Dry Eyes

Tears are necessary to keep your eyes lubricated and healthy. When tear production is insufficient, this dry eye condition can result in redness, itching, and even watery eyes. Because tobacco is well known as an irritant, smoking can worsen a dry eye problem. The smoker and people around smokers can develop discomfort from dry eyes. A vision care specialist can help with this condition. 

4. Uveitis

Smokers are more likely than nonsmokers to develop this severe eye disease in the eye's middle layer, or uvea. The condition causes the uvea to become inflamed, increasing the risk of cataracts, glaucoma, retinal detachment, and total vision loss. 

5. Diabetic Retinopathy

Millions of Americans with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes suffer from damage to the retina's blood vessels. Diabetic retinopathy can result in vision loss, and the condition is twice as likely to develop in people with diabetes who smoke. Vision care, including laser treatments and injected medications, can help control the disease. Surgery may also be necessary. 

If you are experiencing the symptoms of any of these eye conditions and need the expertise of an eye doctor, turn to Wise Vision Care in Elizabethtown, KY. Their skilled optometrist and vision care professionals have provided for eye care needs for over 20 years and can diagnose your problem and help you achieve your best vision. To learn more about their vision care services, visit them online or call (270) 769-3708 to schedule an appointment.