Any medical professional will tell you that smoking is very harmful to your health. As a matter of fact, LASIK doctors and ophthalmologists will go into a huge rant on how smoking can make a huge negative impact on your eyes.
The best LASIK surgeons in Los Angeles, like Doctor Moosa, let us know that cigarettes contain about 4,000 chemicals. The reality is that some of these poisonous chemicals can result in long-term cellular damage in the eye, increasing the risk of corneal infections and prolonging healing time.
The LASIK surgeons take a look at five different diseases that have a higher possibility of developing in smokers. Some of these diseases are so dangerous that they could result in permanent blindness.
Five Ocular Diseases That Smokers Might Get
Cataracts
The LASIK eye specialists make it clear that daily smoking can put you at increased risk for cataracts. Cataracts, which are the clouding of the eye’s natural lens, occur to almost everyone when they reach the age of 80.
When cataracts begin to develop, they can result in blurry vision and, with some extreme case scenarios – complete blindness. A recent study revealed that there is a strong connection between smoking and the increased risk of age-related cataracts. Not surprisingly, those who smoke cigarettes regularly are most likely to get cataracts at an earlier age than non-smokers.
Graves’ Ophthalmopathy
Not only does smoking tobacco harm your lungs, but it also increases your risk of developing eye-related problems caused by thyroid disease. Graves’ ophthalmopathy affects the immune system, in particular, the thyroid.
As a result of this condition, the tissue and muscles around the eyes are damaged. Complications start because of this disorder, and a person can suffer from double vision, eye-bulging, eye inflammation, eye pain, and vision loss.
Uveitis
Doctor Moosa, one of the leading LASIK surgeons in Los Angeles points out that exposure to toxic chemicals, especially those found in cigarettes, causes uveitis – an inflammation of the eye. Also, it can affect the iris, which is the colored part of the eye. In general, smoking can put you at a higher risk of acquiring this disorder, leading to serious complications such as glaucoma and vision loss.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
If you are a daily cigarette smoker, you are three times more likely to get a chronic disease known as age-related macular degeneration. Age-related macular degeneration, otherwise known as AMD, causes the macula, the oval-shaped pigmented area near the retina’s center, to deteriorate and lead to vision loss. The macula is the part of the eye that provides acute vision. If you have AMD, your central vision will be impaired. As a result of this, you probably will not be able to participate in everyday tasks that involve your eyesight, such as reading, writing, or driving.
Diabetic Retinopathy
You have a higher risk of getting diabetes if you are frequently exposed to tobacco smoke. Diabetes can cause an eye disorder known as diabetic retinopathy, which occurs when the eye’s blood vessels are damaged. As a result, there are many vision complications, such as blindness.
With all this information around, it is vital that you are aware of the negative impact cigarettes can have on your overall health. It is advisable that if you are currently a regular smoker, that you should consider kicking this bad and harmful habit. Quitting smoking is the first step forward in lowering your chances of developing harmful ocular diseases and enhancing your health.
Dry Eyes
When a person experiences dry eyes, they usually don’t have enough tears on the eye’s surface, which are required to preserve eye lubrication and keep them healthy. Those who suffer from dry eyes can experience eye redness, itchiness, a sensation that something foreign is in their eye, and watery eyes.
Tobacco smoke is a well-known eye irritant and aggravates dry eyes even when the smoke is derived from second-hand smokers, and it is especially harmful to contact lens wearers. People who smoke have twice the likelihood of developing dry eyes.
Smoking And Infant Eye Disease
Women who smoke while pregnant can transmit dangerous toxins to the placenta, harming the unborn child. Smoking during pregnancy can increase the possibility of any fetal and infant eye disorders and other serious health problems.
These eye issues include strabismus (crossed eyes) and underdevelopment of the optic nerve, which is a leading cause of blindness in children.
Plus, women who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to give birth prematurely. Most babies born prematurely are at higher risk of eye issues than full-term babies.
Premature babies usually have vision problems that include retinopathy of prematurity, a potentially blinding disease.
If you are a smoker, especially one who has been smoking for many years, or is experiencing some unusual vision loss, or is concerned about your eye health, then it is a good idea to talk to an eye care professional at Excel Laser Vision Institute, a reputable LASIK clinic in Los Angeles.
Laser eye surgery can treat some eye diseases, such as cataracts that cigarette smoking can cause at an earlier age. LASIK professionals will conduct a thorough evaluation of your eye health and condition before deciding if you are eligible for LASIK eye surgery or a similar procedure.
If you are serious about quitting smoking and want to check or improve your eyesight, contact Excel Laser Vision Institute at (888) 957-3255. Our team of staff is highly trained and experienced. Our leading eye surgeon, Dr. Moosa, a well-esteemed LASIK surgeon in Los Angeles, has a Harvard education and a wealth of experience working with different prescription levels. Dr. Moosa has helped many professionals achieve their vision goals, from athletes to models to military personnel. Visit our website to learn more: https://www.exceleye.com/.
