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PROTECT YOUR VISION – QUIT SMOKING!

NDC_Team
Mayo Clinic
7 10 382

Many people do not realize just how consequential and extensive the health effects of smoking are.  Unfortunately, many smokers will use a bit of information, like a doctor saying ‘your lung screen is normal’ to justify continuing to smoke.  However, compounds from the combustion process of smoking impact every system/organ of the body including the vascular system, the endocrine system,  even the eyes!!  That’s right – your EYES

In conditions such as AMD (or age-related macular degeneration), the part of the retina known as the macula becomes damaged. This impairs central vision. The blood flow to the macular part of the retina (which enables us to see very fine detail) comprised of the tiniest vessels in the body, can be directly impacted by smoking.  According to the British Medical Journal, those who smoke are at an increased risk developing age-related macular degeneration,  and smokers in general increase their chances of going blind in old age by as much as 4 times.  While smoking can directly impact one’s eye health and vision, quitting smoking decreases your risk of developing AMD by 6.7 percent after  1 year, and by 11.7 percent after 5 years.

Similarly, while you probably already know that diabetes can be complicated by smoking, there is also a condition known as diabetic retinopathy which can again affect those tiny blood vessels of the eye.  Here, those fine vessels can break down, leak or even become blocked – which can lead to blurred vision, or worse yet - blindness. 

Smoking also increases the risk of damage to the optic nerve – the nerve that makes communication from the eye to the brain possible.  The possible consequences here are so central to your vision that damage to the optic nerve can lead to glaucoma, or again, blindness. 

Although  many do not consider it, the detrimental effects of smoking on the eyes is very real, and  quitting smoking is indeed one of the most important things you can do to protect your vision for a lifetime.

Barb Dallavalle, MA, LP

NDC Counselor/CTTS

References:

Eye Health | Tips Prevention | Smokers

Another Clear Eyed Reason to quit Smoking | Your Vision

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About the Author
The Nicotine Dependence Center at Mayo Clinic has been home to physicians, nurse practitioners, Master’s / PhD level counselors, trained TTS’, and amazing office staff for a total of 30 years, all working together to treat individuals who struggle with tobacco use. Counselors meet with an individual to develop their own personalized plan, discuss coping strategies, and provide ongoing support along the journey towards a tobacco-free life. As part of the process, counselors work with physicians and nurse practitioners to provide nicotine replacements and other medications for smoking cessation as needed. We are happy to be involved with the EX Community and we hope our experiences and expertise can help in your journey towards a tobacco-free life. View the link in our signature to see our individual Biographies.