Top

       alt text alt text alt text alt text alt text alt text alt text alt text alt text alt text alt text alt text alt text

Smoking And Eye Damage

February 11, 2009




eye-damaged-and-smokAround 4000 chemicals are present in the smoke of cigarettes. They enter the smoker’s bloodstream. This can prove damaging for the smoker’s eyes.

The damage caused

A thin membrane covers our eyes. It is called the conjunctiva. Tobacco smoke causes this membrane to be inflamed. It causes irritation in the eyes and makes them bloodshot.

Studies show that smoking is related to cataracts. Smokers are at a higher risk of developing cataracts.

Smoking is believed to be a risk factor for AMD.

The jury is still out on whether or not smoking is linked with diabetic retinopathy. However, this much is clear that smoking causes acceleration of the condition.

It shrinks the blood vessels of the eyes resulting in glaucoma and even damage to the optic nerve.

Smoking and malnutrition have a direct connection with optic neuritis.

In what way smoking adversely affects our eyes?

Cigarette smoke has several toxic chemicals in it. When you smoke, you allow these chemicals to enter your blood. These chemicals are then transported throughout your body by the way of your bloodstream. When in the eyes, they damage the macula, which is at the back of the eye and is also the retina’s most sensitive area.

The macula has small minuscule blood vessels. These break or burst because of the smoke. They cannot be repaired leading to irreparable damage. Instead of bursting, the smoke can result in their slow death. Any of the two ways, the end is complete vision loss.

What can I do if my smoking has damaged my eyes already?

The answer is that you cannot do much once the damage has occurred. The damage is usually irreversible. However, at times Laser treatment can be considered to be an option. This is not such a bright ray of hope because if you keep on smoking after the treatment, the condition will come again.

A therapy called the photodynamic therapy can help to make the loss of vision a little bit less severe. However, most often patients are beyond any help.

What can I do to reduce the damage?

You can give up smoking completely. This will put you at a lesser risk of AMD. However, whatever damage has been already caused is not reversible.


Comments

Got something to say? Join the conversation and leave a comment below.
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!





Recent Articles


Menopause Symptoms and Dealing with Them
Menopause is a transition phase in a woman’s life. Usually it occurs with women who are over 45 years in age. This is the phase where


How to Prevent Sinus Congestion and Headache
Sinus problems can be an immense inconvenience in leading a normal day to day life. They affect us in the form of congestion


Foods Which Trigger a Migraine Attack
A migraine attack can leave the sufferer feeling as if their head is about to explode. People suffering from migraines are extremely


Natural Teeth Whitening Methods
A bright smile can capture people’s hearts. A pearly white smile can enhance a woman’s beauty. Maintaining a set of beautiful white


Different Types of Mud Treatments
Mud treatments are gaining immense popularity through out the world. Mud treatment refers to the application of clean mud on the


What's More today?

alt text Make Up Steps for Looking at Your Best

We all want to look at our best.  Make up is an essential part of your everyday routine. Here is how... 

alt text How to Prevent Sinus Congestion and Headache

Sinus problems can be an immense inconvenience in leading a normal day to day life. They affect us in... 

alt text Tress Essential – Essential Oils for Hair Care

A great deal of attention and effort goes into maintaining a full head of shiny and healthy hair. If... 

alt text Foods Which Trigger a Migraine Attack

A migraine attack can leave the sufferer feeling as if their head is about to explode. People suffering... 

alt text Going Blonde: Tips and Technique

Blonde hair is the most sought after hair color in the world and only 2 percent of the population has... 

alt text Stylish Must Have Blazers

Blazers have become an integral part of a stylish wardrobe. They have an elegance in themselves that... 

alt text Dealing with Rebellious Teenage Children

If you have a teenage child, you will have found that it is difficult to discipline him/her. This is... 

alt text Natural Teeth Whitening Methods

A bright smile can capture people’s hearts. A pearly white smile can enhance a woman’s beauty. Maintaining... 

alt text A Few Things To Keep In Mind While Applying Wedding Make Up

For how long have you planned your wedding? As a girl probably you have been planning ever since the... 

alt text How to Sterilize Baby Bottles

Babies are extremely susceptible to various bacterial, viral and parasitic infections in the first year... 

alt text Stay Healthy and Beautiful the Yoga Way

Gaining weight can be a constant bother for all of you. However, when you think deeply and sincerely... 

alt text Dating a Taurus Man

If you really want someone in your life, who will be completely dedicated to you. Then it is time you... 

alt text Dating a Scorpio Woman

The experience of dating a Scorpio woman is indeed very different from dating the woman of a different... 

alt text 5 Biggest Myths about Pregnancy

If you are pregnant or planning for a baby, then you will hear a lot of old wives’ tales. There are... 

alt text Different Types of Mud Treatments

Mud treatments are gaining immense popularity through out the world. Mud treatment refers to the application... 

Bottom