Smoking causes a range of eye diseases.

Cataracts

Cataracts (a condition where the lens of the eye becomes cloudy) are one of the leading causes of blindness. Over 74% of blindness cases in Vietnam are due to cataracts (in 2016). Studies indicate that smokers are a major contributor to this condition.cigarettePeople who smoke are twice as likely to develop cataracts compared to non-smokers. The more cigarettes smoked, the higher the risk of developing cataracts.

Macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition characterized by loss of central vision (macular vision) due to damage to the retina in people over 50 years of age. While peripheral vision may remain good enough for other daily activities, activities such as driving and reading may be affected. AMD is often caused by the aging of light-sensitive cells in the macula, or by abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye that causes blood and proteins to leak into the macula.

Researchers have warned that smokers may be three times more likely to develop AMD than those who have never smoked. And women over 80 who smoke are 5.5 times more likely to develop AMD than non-smokers of the same age. This is one of the leading causes of blindness in many people over 50.

Uveitis

Uveitis is a common eye condition that can lead to complete vision loss if left untreated. The uvea consists of three parts: the iris (which gives the eye its characteristic color), the ciliary body (which produces fluid inside the eye), and the choroid (the blood vessels that supply blood to the eye). When any of these three parts are damaged, it is called uveitis, which can lead to conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, and ocular atrophy.

A recent study indicates that smokerscigarettePeople who smoke are 2.2 times more likely to develop uveitis compared to non-smokers.

Diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy damages the blood vessels of the retina and can lead to complete vision loss. It is the leading cause of blindness in developed countries and is becoming increasingly common in developing countries. In the United States, more than 5 million people aged 40 and older have diabetic retinopathy due to type 1 or type 2 diabetes. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this number is projected to rise to approximately 16 million by 2050.

Smoking can double the risk of developing diabetes. Smoking also increases the risk of diabetic complications, including diabetic retinopathy. Smokers are four times more likely to go blind in old age than non-smokers.

Dry eyes

Dry eyes occur when tears are unable to adequately moisturize the eyes. People with dry eyes often experience burning, stinging, redness, and itching. Tobacco smoke is an eye irritant and worsens dry eyes, even for passive smokers (those who inhale smoke from others' cigarettes but do not smoke themselves). Smokers are twice as likely to develop dry eyes as non-smokers.

Eye diseases in newborns

Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of many eye disorders in fetuses and newborns. Maternal smoking can cause strabismus (crossed eyes) and underdeveloped optic nerves in the baby. This is one of the leading causes of blindness in children. Women who smoke during pregnancy also tend to give birth prematurely. Compared to full-term babies, premature babies are more likely to develop retinal diseases or other eye conditions, the most serious of which can lead to blindness.