Smoking can affect eye health as well as the lungs, heart, and blood vessels. Two of the clearest eye-health associations are age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.
Smoking and age-related macular degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, affects the macula—the central part of the retina used for detailed vision. Smoking is a recognized risk factor for AMD. For people who already have AMD or other risk factors, not smoking is one of the important modifiable health choices that may help lower risk.
Smoking and cataracts
A cataract is clouding of the eye’s natural lens. Cataracts become more common with age, and smoking is among the factors associated with a higher risk of developing them.
Smoking can affect the eyes in other ways, too
Tobacco smoke can irritate the ocular surface and may aggravate dryness or discomfort in some people. Smoking also contributes to broader vascular and systemic health problems that can matter to the eyes.
Rather than treating smoking as the explanation for every eye condition, it is more useful to think of it as an avoidable risk factor that can add to other risks such as age, family history, diabetes, high blood pressure, and sun exposure.
Quitting is beneficial at any age
If you smoke, quitting benefits overall health and eye health. Smoking-cessation treatment belongs with an appropriate medical clinician or cessation program.
Quitting matters for thyroid eye disease, too. This autoimmune condition, most often linked to Graves’ disease, can cause bulging, red or irritated eyes and double vision. Smoking is the biggest risk factor for thyroid eye disease that you can change, and quitting helps. For help quitting, call the New York State Smokers’ Quitline at 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487).
For people with eye-health risk factors, a comprehensive eye exam can help evaluate the eyes and determine whether additional monitoring or referral is appropriate.