Smoking Can Lead to Vision
Loss or Blindness
The rate of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) among smokers
is significantly greater than that of non smokers.
AMD, an eye disease that affects more than 1.65 million Americans
over the age of 50, has no cure. Although several new promising medications
are currently being tested, those who have been diagnosed can only
treat the symptoms.
However, recent studies have shown that one way to reduce the risk
of developing AMD is by not smoking. A study published in the British
Medical Journal from the University of Manchester found that smokers
were three to four times more likely to develop AMD than non smokers.
And, non smokers living with smokers almost double their risk of
developing AMD.
Fortunately, the research also showed that former smokers who had
quit for over 20 years had the same risk level of those who had never
smoked. Smoking impairs the effects of antioxidants, which then damage
the retina.
In a recent survey commissioned by AMD Alliance International, only
32% of respondents who had heard of AMD were aware of the link between
AMD and smoking. In addition to AMD, smoking has been linked to increases
in the cases of cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.
“We’ve all known for years that smoking is bad for our
health,” said Daniel D. Garrett, senior vice president of Prevent
Blindness America. “But some people may not know that besides
causing cancers, smoking can also cause vision loss and eventually
lead to blindness!”
Prevent Blindness America,
the nation’s leading volunteer
eye health and safety organization, has designated the month of February
as Age-related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month in an effort
to educate the public on the disease and what steps can be taken
to avoid it. Because of the large aging population, the number of
AMD cases is estimated to balloon to almost three million in the
year 2020.
“We also want to remind everyone, whether they are smokers
or not, that the most effective way to fight the effects of AMD is
through early detection and treatment,” added Garrett. “Prevent
Blindness America strongly encourages regular eye examinations from
qualified eye care professionals.”
AMD begins as a loss
of central vision which results in difficulty to read a book and
see fine details. Over time, the vision loss increases significantly.
Of the two forms of AMD, “dry” and “wet,” dry
AMD is the most common form of the disease. It involves the presence
of drusen —fatty deposits that form under the light-sensing
cells in the retina. Vision loss in dry AMD usually progresses slowly.
Wet AMD is less common, but more rapidly threatening to vision. Wet
AMD causes tiny blood vessels under the retina to leak or break open.
This distorts vision and causes scar tissue to form.
Healthy habits can lead to healthy eyes. The risk of eye disease
and vision loss can be lowered if you: quit smoking; eat healthy
foods (including green leafy vegetables and foods high in zinc, vitamins
C and E, and beta carotene); control blood pressure and cholesterol;
stay active; and, visit your eye care professional on a regular basis.
For free information on AMD,
please visit Prevent Blindness America at www.preventblindness.org or call 1-800-331-2020.
