People who smoke have a higher risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), an eye disease which causes blurry central vision and can lead to blindness, since smoking has been identified as one of the major risk factors associated with both dry and wet AMD.

Smokers may also be at an increased risk for cataracts – clouding of the clear lens inside of their eye that causes blurry vision, glare and difficulty perceiving colors.

Risk Factors

Smoking is one of the main modifiable risk factors of macular degeneration that can be controlled or avoided, with smoking restricting blood vessels in the eyes, decreasing circulation to the retina and leading to thinner retinal layers that are more prone to damage from UV radiation – this increases both dry and wet macular degeneration risks. Smoking also decreases levels of protective macular pigments like lutein and zeaxanthin which act as protectors from UV rays.

Smoking is an established risk factor for age related macular degeneration (AMD), as evidenced by more frequent instances among those diagnosed than among non-smokers. Furthermore, smoking has been shown to accelerate its progression – one longitudinal study conducted with people suffering from AMD known as Age-Related Eye Disease Studies (AREDS) revealed current smokers had two to four times the risk of advanced forms than non-smokers.

Other risk factors of AMD include family history, ethnicity and age; however there are several modifiable risk factors which may help reduce macular degeneration risk, including diet and regular exercise as well as weight control. Obesity increases macular degeneration risk through increasing blood pressure which narrows eye blood vessels limiting circulation to retina. Smoking as well as lifestyle habits which increase heart disease risks (high cholesterol and high blood pressure levels for example) also increase its likelihood of occurring macular degeneration.

Occupational exposure to sunlight and chemicals may increase the risk of macular degeneration; however, only 13 peer-reviewed articles have evaluated this potential association between macular degeneration and blue-collar workers who had been exposed to solar ultraviolet radiation and macular degeneration.

Importantly, secondhand smoke increases the risk of macular degeneration due to entering both the smoker’s nose and mouth as well as everyone in close proximity. Smoke from cigarettes enters both nostrils as well as eyes of all inhaled by closeness to them.

Symptoms

Macular degeneration is a progressive eye condition that occurs as you get older. It causes central vision to blur, making reading and driving difficult; faces may be hard to recognize or colors difficult. Smokers should ensure they get regular eye exams so their doctor can identify signs early enough and reduce further loss of sight.

Early stages of dry macular degeneration often go undetected. The condition begins with small deposits called drusen accumulating on your retina; these do not present as an alarming threat as many people develop them as they age; if however, these grow larger or increase in number over time you could notice blurriness of central vision and/or dark areas appearing centrally within your field of sight; in later stages they often worsen further and reduce your ability to function normally.

As soon as a person develops wet AMD, their blood vessels behind the retina begin to leak or close off entirely, leading to the accumulation of fluid pockets beneath their retina causing central vision to become blurry or shadowy. Smokers tend to be particularly at risk; your risk increases exponentially if smoking alongside having other risk factors for AMD such as high blood pressure or cholesterol levels.

Your risk of wet ARMD can be reduced by quitting smoking, eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, wearing sunglasses or hats outdoors when necessary, getting enough rest, and visiting LEI for regular eye exams – our ophthalmologists will advise you of the most appropriate treatment options based on your circumstances.

As a smoker, it’s recommended that you receive an eye examination every two to four years, particularly if there is a family history of macular degeneration. This will enable your physician to detect any changes and provide appropriate care so as to slow the progression of the disease.

Treatment

Smoking increases your risk of macular degeneration. While it may seem inevitable, there are treatments available and regular visits to retina specialists can help monitor symptoms and diagnose whether wet or dry macular degeneration exists; additionally they may recommend diet changes that will slow the progression of this condition.

Under dry AMD, yellow deposits called drusen form underneath the retina, leading to its breakdown and vision problems that blur or distort over time. Reading glasses may eventually become necessary. Rarely wet macular degeneration develops, where abnormal blood vessels grow under retina and macula that leak and bleed frequently causing further vision loss; treatment options could include injections to stop new vessel growth and stop further vision loss.

The exact causes of eye disease remain elusive. But research suggests that smoking could be toxic to endothelial cells in blood vessels in the eye, cutting off oxygen and nutrients to these blood vessels and possibly leading to cataract formation.

Studies have demonstrated that smokers are four times more likely to develop neovascular AMD than never-smokers. According to the Beaver Dam Eye Study, current smokers had a significantly increased risk of early wet AMD than men who had never smoked before – an effect also witnessed in both Physicians’ Health Study and Nurses’ Health Study.

To best protect your eyes and prevent macular degeneration, the best strategy is to avoid smoking entirely or never start. If you already smoke, stop as soon as possible; smoking increases the risk of vision-threatening eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy – up to six percent less risk if you quit after just one year!

Prevention

Researchers from the National Eye Institute found that smokers are twice as likely to develop age-related macular degeneration, according to research. Cigarette smoke contains tar, which may contribute to deposit formation known as drusen which leads to macular degeneration. As smoking habits continue, so the chances of macular degeneration increase, making quitting one of the best ways to lower chances of this condition. Other preventative measures may include maintaining a healthy weight and eating diets rich in nutrients from leafy green vegetables and fish as preventive measures.

Regular eye exams should become part of every person’s healthcare regimen as they age. Regular exams can detect early symptoms of macular degeneration such as the formation of drusen in the retina. Furthermore, they can identify cataracts and other eye diseases which could potentially cause vision loss.

People can protect their eyes by limiting exposure to blue light emitted by devices such as computers and digital TVs, which has been known to damage retinas and increase macular degeneration risks. Furthermore, people should wear sunglasses when outdoors to shield their eyes against harmful UV rays.

Exercise programs that focus on blood circulation can be effective ways of combatting macular degeneration. Studies have indicated that those who engage in regular walking or cycling sessions for at least 30 minutes each week are significantly less likely to develop the disease than their non-exercising peers, while diets low in saturated and trans fat can also lower risks associated with macular degeneration.

Certain vitamins can also help prevent macular degeneration, including vitamins C, E and Zinc as well as Lutein and Zeaxanthin – your optometrist can provide advice regarding which supplements would best fit for you.