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If you're like most Americans today, you've heard the warnings about the link between cigarette smoking and heart and lung disease. But did you know smoking also increases your risk for such vision-threatening eye disorders as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration? "Over the years, I've found many patients who smoke are surprised to learn about the needless risks they're taking with their vision,"says VSP network doctor Glenda Brown, O.D., of Alpharetta, Ga.
Dr. Brown points to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showing habitual smokers are 2.5 times more likely than nonsmokers to develop macular degeneration, a condition affecting more than 10 million Americans.
Other conditions linked to cigarette smoking include:
Cataracts: A recent study at the Harvard Medical School found smokers were three times more likely to develop the most vision-threatening type of cataract, and twice as likely to develop a less disabling form of the condition.
Glaucoma: Recent studies attempting to directly link cigarette smoking and glaucoma have been inconclusive, but there is a clear connection between smoking and hypertension, cataracts and diabetes, all risk factors for glaucoma.
Diabetic retinopathy: A study in Diabetes Care found smoking doubles the risk of diabetes. Many people with diabetes develop sight-threatening retinopathy.
Dry eye: A recent study at the University of Wisconsin found smokers are twice as likely to experience dry eye syndrome as nonsmokers.
Dr. Brown says she's noticed patients with dry eye often improve only a few days after quitting smoking.
"I can't tell you how many times I've had a patient come in with red, irritated eyes and complain about the gritty, burning sensation that accompanies most cases of dry eye,"she says. "Giving up tobacco isn't easy, but patients who do usually find their dry eye syndrome improves quite rapidly."
Although she does her best to convince smokers to quit in order to protect their vision, Dr. Brown readily admits it's an uphill battle. So what's the best way to kick the habit to protect your eyes?
"The best strategy is to ask your family physician for help in breaking the addiction,"says Dr. Brown. "Quitting cigarettes is difficult, but your eyesight is certainly worth the effort."
Click to Quit!
For smokers who want to quit, there's help. Speak to your family doctor about stop-smoking strategies. To learn more about quitting, visit www.smokefree.gov, a Web site sponsored by government health agencies and the American Cancer Society. |
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发表于 2016-9-22 12:52:26