Can Tobacco Use Contribute to Vision Loss?

Blindness is one of the most significant public health concerns worldwide, with approximately 43.3 million reported to be blind, while an additional 295 million experience varying degrees of vision impairment.

While vision loss and impairment can be genetic, research published in the journal BMC Public Health found that the global burden of blindness and vision loss can also be attributed to smoking as a lifestyle factor. Findings indicate that vision loss attributable to smoking has increased from 1990 to 2021, with years lived with disability estimated at 284.03 thousand per 100,000 population. Smoking-related vision loss was mainly linked to progressive diseases like cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

Furthermore, individuals are also consuming tobacco through other forms like smokeless and chewing tobacco, entailing a look at how tobacco use in general can contribute to vision loss. Below, we examine how exactly tobacco affects the eyes and what smokers and dippers can do to kick the habit and protect their long-term eye health.

How tobacco use affects the eyes

Smoking is widely known to increase the risk of developing cancer in major organs like the lungs, bladder, and colon, but there must also be awareness about its adverse effects on eye health. An in-depth review published in the journal Cureus found consistent research findings on how smoking damages the eyes and contributes to the development of numerous eye conditions, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, and cataracts.

The underlying mechanisms of the link between smoking and eye disease are reported to be the free radicals found in cigarette smoke, known to cause oxidative stress and damage to the eye’s internal structures. For one, oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of AMD, impacting the core region of the retina (the macula) and potentially causing permanent vision loss. The harmful compounds in cigarette smoke have also been linked to vascular dysfunction, which can affect blood flow in the eyes and contribute to or worsen glaucoma-related damage.

Although smokeless tobacco, like chewing tobacco, snuff, and snus, emerged as alternatives for cigarette smokers, it is worth noting that tobacco use in any form can still impact vision. Studies show that the odds ratio for tobacco use in general and the development of cataracts was 1.39. Meanwhile, smokeless tobacco use, in particular, was statistically associated with the formation of nuclear cataracts, a type of cataract affecting the center of the lens.

Since these eye diseases have been identified as the leading causes of partial and complete blindness across populations, individuals who use tobacco in any form, be it cigarettes or chewing tobacco, must consider the tips in the following section to help them quit tobacco and maintain their eye health.

Tips for quitting tobacco and caring for your eyes

Create a quit plan

Quitting any form of tobacco can be challenging due to the risk of experiencing withdrawal symptoms like headaches, nausea, appetite changes, and the intense urge to smoke. Fortunately, you can create a quit plan to set a specific quit date, identify tobacco-related triggers, and determine ways to manage tobacco cravings without relapsing.

If you struggle with quitting cold turkey, ensure that your quit plan includes tobacco-free alternatives that can help keep cravings and withdrawal symptoms at bay. However, steer clear of alternatives like vapes, as a previous post reports that vaping can also affect eye health and vision, mainly by disrupting the eye’s tear film function and increasing the risk of eye trauma. Consider checking out free resources on creating a quit plan on government websites like Smokefree.gov for more detailed information on quit-smoking therapies.

Seek professional support

While you can create a quit plan on your own, don’t hesitate to consult a health professional who can guide you through the tobacco cessation process and help you stick to your plan. For example, the 1-800-QUIT-NOW hotline offers free services from highly trained and skilled quit coaches who can provide support, help you get quit medicines, and offer tips on how to deal with tobacco cravings.

Similarly, you can seek professional support when it comes to dealing with the ocular effects of smoking or using tobacco. Through tests like tonometry and dilated eye exams, optometrists and ophthalmologists can detect early signs and symptoms of the aforementioned eye conditions linked to tobacco use, such as glaucoma and AMD. Even if you’re not currently experiencing tobacco-related vision problems, you can schedule these routine eye tests at local retailers like Target Optical to monitor your eye health for overall wellness.

Use proper eyewear

Tobacco users experiencing vision changes like decreased visual acuity may be prescribed corrective eyewear to prevent their vision from worsening and threatening their overall eye health. In this case, retailer FramesDirect features the largest selection of eye glasses from top eyewear brands like Ray-Ban, Versace, and Oakley, as well as high-quality prescription lenses with options like BlueReflect and Transitions for additional vision correction. The retailer’s customer service team is also staffed by expert opticians to help you find the right eyewear for your vision and health needs.

Whether or not tobacco use has already affected your vision, it helps to practice eye care by investing in eyewear for sun protection. Studies show that the sun’s ultraviolet rays can also penetrate the eyes and damage ocular structures like the cornea and retina, thus contributing to or exacerbating eye conditions like glaucoma and cataracts. You can shield your eyes from the sun by wearing sunglasses from brands like Revo, which specializes in performance and lifestyle eyewear. Not only does Revo offer high-coverage styles for both men and women, but it also utilizes polarized lens technology to reduce glare and help you see better when outdoors.

In summary, using tobacco in any form can contribute to vision loss by increasing the risk of blinding eye conditions, including glaucoma, cataracts, and AMD. However, you can quit tobacco and take care of your eyes through strategies like a quit plan, professional support, and proper eyewear. Continue reading the posts here at KillTheCan.org for more resources on living a tobacco-free lifestyle.

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