Eyes are a part of one of the critical organs that shape how we learn, work and communicate. Yet, we often neglect eye health till our vision is compromised.
Another major concern that has a direct effect on the eyes is the habit of smoking and vaping. While these actions cause harm to other organs like the heart, lungs, etc, they also harm our eyes.
For your daily dose of medical news and updates, visit: HEALTH
The American Academy of Ophthalmology lists some issues the eyes face due to smoking, vaping, or a combination of the two.
Dry eye
Dry eye is an eye condition that occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears, or when the tears evaporate too quickly or are of poor quality. Smoking with dry eye will make your eyes more likely to feel scratchy, sting, burn, or be red.
Cataract
A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s naturally clear lens. An individual who smokes is at an increased risk of suffering cataracts, which cause blurry vision and require surgery to resolve.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
Macular degeneration is an eye condition that affects central vision. As per the Cleveland Clinic, people with macular degeneration are unable to see things directly in front of them.
Optic nerve issues
Smoking can cause issues to the optic nerve that connects the eye to the brain, which can eventually lead to blindness.
Uveitis
Uvea is the middle layer of the eye wall. Smoking can leave this layer irritated, causing pain and vision problems.
