Smoking is a major health hazard, and the first repercussions that usually come to mind are related to the lungs or heart, whether life-threatening conditions such as lung cancer, stroke and heart attack, or chronic illnesses like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD.)
But the dangerous effects of smoking can extend to other organs and physiological systems, too. Smoking affects the entire body, not only the lungs, which makes sense because the body’s systems are deeply interconnected. Your eyesight is in danger, too!
Dr Sanjay Gandhi, cataract, LASIK, and glaucoma surgeon at SRG Eye Hospital, a unit of Maxivision Eye Hospitals, Ahmedabad, told HT Lifestyle that smoking can affect central vision, which is crucial for reading, driving, and recognising faces. And since it is so crucial for daily functioning, a person’s independence gets adversely affected, too.
What is central vision?
Central vision is part of the eyesight people rely on for some of the most ordinary daily tasks, making it extremely crucial.
“Central vision helps a person see what is right in front of them. It is needed for simple activities such as reading a newspaper, checking their phone, cooking, driving, threading a needle or identifying someone from a distance,” the surgeon said, describing the everyday activities that depend on clear central vision.
So what happens if this part of eyesight gets damaged? Dr Gandhi warned that while side vision may remain, the central part can become blurred, dark or distorted.
How does smoking damage your eyes?
Smoking affects a part of the eye, which the doctor calls the macula. But how exactly? The answer lies in how smoking affects blood circulation and increases oxidative stress in the body.
“The eyes, especially the retina, need a healthy supply of oxygen and nutrients to function well. Over time, smoking can reduce this support and increase the risk of age-related macular degeneration, also called AMD,” Dr Gandhi added. And he also noted that smoking is one of the ‘most important modifiable risk factors for AMD.’
Warning signs you should not ignore
Here are some of the warning signs, as mentioned by the surgeon, that can indicate worsening eye health, and certainly should not be dismissed, even if the initial signs may look small:
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty reading small print
- Straight lines appear wavy
- Requiring brighter light to read than what was needed before
- Faces appear unclear as before
- Dark patch in the centre of vision
Do smokers need regular check-ups?
Since smoking poses such a major risk, the doctor recommended that people who smoke, especially those above 40, should consider regular eye examinations. But a simple eye check can help detect early changes in the retina. Dr Gandhi reiterated that early diagnosis can help slow down the condition and protect existing vision. Smoking can also contribute to serious eye conditions, like cataracts, vision loss and blindness, especially in cases linked to macular degeneration.
Quitting is the best preventive measure
While early diagnosis can help, the best step a smoker can take, according to the surgeon, is to quit completely, as the entire body benefits from it, from the eyes and heart to the lungs and blood vessels.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
