Cigarette smoking and your eyesight
Cigarette smoke is extremely toxic, containing as many as 4 000 active compounds including tar, formaldehyde and heavy metals. Most of us are aware of the adverse effects of cigarette smoking on the body: heart disease, chronic lung disease and cancer but smoking really harms every organ of the body and the eyes are not exempt from it. Cigarette smoking causes direct damage to the tissues of the eye.
MACULAR DEGENERATION
The macula is an area of the retina that is responsible for central vision. It is responsible for fine detail and clarity for reading and driving. Research shows that smokers are three times more likely to develop Macular Degeneration than people who have never smoked. The risks are even worse for older women. Macular Degeneration causes distorted central vision eventually leading to blind spots making reading and driving an impossible task. The good news is that quitting smoking at any time can significantly reduce the risks for developing Macular Degeneration.
CATARACTS
A cataract is formed by the clouding of the lens inside the eye. Most of the time, cataracts are part of the natural aging process and more than half of all adults will require a cataract operation by the time they are 80 years old. However, cigarette smokers are twice more likely to develop cataracts than non-smokers, and for heavy smokers, the risk is triple!
UVEITIS
Uveitis is a serious inflammation of the eye’s middle layers. The inflammation and swelling results in blurred vision, redness and pain. The inflammation can destroy eye tissues and lead to vision loss. One study found that smoking increases the risk of uveitis two-fold compared to non-smokers.
DRY EYE SYNDROME
Tobacco smoke is a known eye irritant and smokers are frequent sufferers of dry eye syndrome. Complaints of red, scratchy and itchy eyes are frequent and even more problematic for contact lens wearers.
DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
Research shows that smoking may as much as double the risk of developing diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy is a condition seen in diabetics that damages the retinal blood vessels, causes hypoxia (or oxygen starvation) and can result in vision loss. Diabetics who smoke show faster progression of diabetic retinopathy in addition to other diabetes complications.
SMOKING AND INFANT & CHILDHOOD EYE DISEASE
Women who smoke during pregnancy increase the chance of infant eye disorders and serious health problems. This may include strabismus (squint) and under-developed optic nerve, which leads to blindness. Smoking during pregnancy also increases the risks of premature birth. Babies born prematurely are at an increased risk of eye problems compared to full-term babies. Children who are regularly exposed to second hand smoke are also more likely to suffer with dry eye symptoms and allergic conjunctivitis.
The good news is that after quitting smoking, the risk of some eye diseases becomes as low as for people who never smoked. Quitting, if you are a smoker, is the best investment you can make for your long-term eye health. You might also want to read this post on dry eyes and seasonal change.
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Tiaan Lötter
Teacher
Tiaan Lötter is a digital learning enthusiast and Google Certified Innovator. He has a background in Public and Private Secondary Education teaching Afrikaans as a first additional language. Through his teaching, he strives to use technology in his lessons in pedagogically valuable methods to engage students in learning opportunities. He presents at summits, conferences and workshops on the integration of digital technologies into education. He believes failure is a step to success and that all teachers are superheroes. Education 2014 Google Educator Certification 2013 Google Certified Teacher 2012 Post-Grad Certificate in Education 2012 Post-Grad Certificate in Editing (English) 2009 Post-Grad Certificate in Pension Fund Law Post-Grad Certificate in Advanced Company Law 2008 B.Com Law (Economics major) 2003 Grade 12 / Matric (National Senior Certificate) Skills
- • Geek-level computer skills on Windows and Apple Mac.
• Excellent education and technology integration skills regarding Apple Apps and Google Apps For Education using pads/tablets and macs/computers.
• Training in the context of professional development regarding the integration of technology in teaching.
• Training provided:
o Google Apps for Education: Chrome and Extensions / Google Drive and Extensions / Google Sites
o Augmented Reality (Setting up and using Aurasma and Daqri apps)
• Compiling training / educational material in the context of a classroom and professional development.
• Notably:
o Wrote and contributed to grade 9, 10 and 11 Afrikaans First Additional Language textbooks.
o Developed poetry resources across multiple platforms like Prezi, Keynote and Google Drive Slides.
o Developed language in context resources using Keynote.
o Developed prose resources using Aurasma's augmented reality.
o Following creationist theory with learner work.
• Attended Google Educator Group Leader training workshop.
• Excellent editing, proofing and translating of English and Afrikaans.
• Excellent written and verbal communication in English and Afrikaans.
Contributors
- Andrea Kellerman
- Anne-Marie Stanisavljevic
- Casha Meintjes
- Celynn Erasmus
- Dr. Jacobus Lieb Liebenberg
- Dr. Melodie De Jager
- Dr. Pieter Kitshoff
- Estelle Barnard
- Frank Magwegwe
- Green Beings
- Jennifer Cosslett
- Joanie Strauss
- Keren Hoy
- Leanne Kiezer
- Lourika Horn
- Marené Jooste
- Marinda Botha
- Marlene Mouton
- Melissa Roos
- Mind Moves
- Monique Theron
- Opti-Baby and Kids
- Paper Video
- Paulus Pilatus
- Phumeza Langa
- Prof. Dr. Ina Shaw
- Rozanne Vincent
- Saurabh Tyagi
- Sister Sonja Sauer
- Stephanie Makhlouf
- Takudzwa Collen Hanyani
- Tiaan Lötter
- Wietske Boon
- Window 2 Learning Excellence