Blog Layout

How Smoking Increases Your Risk For Eye Diseases

Baptist Eye Surgeons • July 15, 2018

It’s common knowledge that smoking increases your risk of developing lung cancer and having heart disease or a stroke. But did you also know that smoking puts you at higher risk for developing eye diseases and losing vision?

Cigarette smoke is extremely toxic and contains as many as 4,000 active compounds, including tar, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and heavy metals. In addition to harming the lungs, heart, blood vessels, and tissues of the body, these toxins have also been directly linked to two leading causes of vision loss, cataracts and macular degeneration.

Studies indicate that smoking can increase your risk of vision loss by up to four times. Smoking damages the blood vessels inside your eyes, damages your retina, and reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches your macula. Smoking also increases your risk of dry eye syndrome. In fact, smoking contributes to numerous eye diseases, such as:

The more you smoke, the higher your risk of each of these conditions. And for people with other eye diseases, smoking elevates the risk of serious vision loss. When women smoke during pregnancy, they have a higher risk birth of delivering prematurely, putting their babies at higher risk for many health problems, including a potentially blinding disease called retinopathy of prematurity.

However, the good news is that after people quit smoking, their risks for some eye diseases becomes almost as low as for people who never smoked. So if you’re currently a smoker, talk to your doctor about how to quit before permanent vision loss occurs. And if you’re concerned that you may already be experiencing vision loss, consult with one of our expert eye specialists.

Baptist Eye Surgeons is an ophthalmological practice dedicated to providing quality eye care to patients whose needs range from routine comprehensive eye examinations to complex eye surgeries. To request an appointment or get directions to our Knoxville and Morristown locations, visit our website. Call us at 865-579-3920 for more information, or visit us online to schedule an appointment.

Screen Time and Eye Health | Baptist Eye Surgeons
March 1, 2025
Digital devices have changed the way we live and work. From smartphones to laptops, screens are an integral part of our daily routines. However, these modern conveniences come with a hidden cost—our eye health. Spending long hours in front of screens can lead to discomfort and even long-term vision problems if not managed properly.
Common Eyelid Problems | Baptist Eye Surgeons
February 1, 2025
Eyelid problems can impact both the appearance and functionality of your eyes. These issues are not only cosmetic but can also interfere with vision and overall eye health. Whether you are dealing with drooping eyelids, inflammation, or unusual growths, understanding the nature of these conditions is integral.
Thin Cornea | Baptist Eye Surgeons
January 17, 2025
For years, people with thin corneas faced limited options for corrective eye procedures. Conditions like keratoconus or naturally thin corneas often exclude individuals from undergoing laser vision correction, especially LASIK, which relies on a certain corneal thickness to achieve safe and stable results.
Share by: