Smoking poses severe risks to eye health, with potential consequences including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of vision loss and blindness among older Americans. Learn more about the detrimental effects of smoking on the eyes, particularly its association with AMD, alongside other risk factors and preventative measures.*

Smoking and AMD

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO), smokers face up to four times higher risk of developing AMD compared to nonsmokers, and exposure to secondhand smoke doubles the likelihood of AMD. 

Research suggests that smokers may develop AMD approximately five and a half years earlier than non-smokers. Critical components of the eye affected by smoking including the:

• Retina,
• Macula, and
• Lens.

 Inhaling cigarette smoke:

• Speeds up the aging process by increasing free radicals, molecules that hinder the body’s ability to regenerate cells,
• Depletes levels of lutein in the macula, and
• Reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches the blood vessels in the retina.

Individually and collectively, these types of damage increase your risk for developing AMD, and can lead to vision impairment and eventually blindness.

Signs and symptoms of AMD

Some signs and symptoms of AMD to be aware of include:

• Loss of central vision (what you see when you look straight ahead)
• Blurriness or waves in your central vision
• Difficulty seeing details and recognizing faces
• Needing more light to do activities right in front of you, like reading 

Contact your eye doctor if you notice one or more of these signs.

Are e-cigarettes safer alternatives?

While e-cigarettes may offer a substitute for traditional tobacco smoking, they still harbor harmful substances like nicotine, raising concerns about their safety. 

Recent studies indicate that while nicotine-free e-cigarette vapor may not directly impact retinal tissue as profoundly as conventional cigarette smoke, it triggers inflammatory reactions that could exacerbate AMD development. E-cigarette vapor containing nicotine poses even greater risks. 

Further research is necessary, however, to fully comprehend the long-term effects of e-cigarettes on eye health.

Additional risk factors and preventative measures

Apart from smoking, AMD risk is influenced by various factors such as:

• Age, 
• Sex,  
• Cardiovascular diseases, and 
• Genetics.  

Although some risk factors like age and genetics are beyond our control, lifestyle choices play a crucial role in reducing the likelihood of developing AMD, as well as cataracts.

You can reduce your AMD risk with such strategies as:

• Quitting smoking, 
• Getting regular exercise, 
• Wearing appropriate protective eyewear, 
• Consuming a nutrient-rich diet, and 
• Taking care of your cardiovascular health.

Adopting a healthy lifestyle, including quitting smoking, is paramount in mitigating AMD risk and safeguarding your vision. If you already have AMD, early intervention and proactive management, which may include treatments like injectable medications and/or laser procedures, are vital in mitigating AMD’s progression.

If you smoke, schedule an eye exam and speak with your provider about ways to protect your sight.

*Emeh, J. (2023, January 24. What’s the Link Between Smoking and Macular Degeneration.

Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/smoking-and-macular-degeneration 

Responsum Health closely vets all sources to ensure that we always provide you with high-quality, reliable information. We do not, however, endorse or recommend any specific providers, treatments, or products, and the use of a given source does not imply an endorsement of any provider, treatment, medication, or procedure discussed within.