4) If you smoke, quit!
Smoking has adverse impact on different parts of body especially on the eyes. Researchers have pointed out that smoking can damage cataract and optic nerve. Smoking is widely linked with age related macular degeneration.
i) Smoking and cataracts
Cataracts are mainly responsible for blindness throughout the world. This is the clouding of natural lens of eyes. People who smoke are at a greater risk of developing cataracts as compared to non smokers.
ii) Smoking and macular degeneration
Retina is damaged due to age related macular degeneration. It affects the centre of retina and directly affects the vision. People who smoke have three fold chances of developing this disease as compared to people who do not smoke.
iii) Uveitis
It is the inflammation of middle layer of eye. It damages the important parts of eyes such as retina and iris and can result in glaucoma, cataracts and detachment of retina. Uveitis is a chronic disease and can result in complete loss of vision.
iv) Diabetic Retinopathy
It is responsible for damaging the blood vessels of eyes and cause complete loss of vision. Smoking doubles the risk of developing diabetes.
v) Smoking and dry eyes
In dry eyes not enough tears are produced that are needed to keep eyes lubricated. Redness and itching is experienced by people who develop dry eyes and tobacco smoke can worsen it.
vi) Infant eye diseases
Women who smoke during pregnancy transmit harmful chemicals and toxins to the unborn child. It greatly increases the infant eye disorders. Strabismus and optic nerve under development occurs due to smoking among infants which can then lead to blindness. Also smoking during pregnancy can lead to premature birth.
