In Addition To Lung Function Alley, Smoking Can Also Cause Eye Health Disorders

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JAKARTA - Bad effects of smoking for the health of the body have often been campaigned for such as cancer, respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, including affecting the eye and even causing loss of sight.

Dr. Aaradhana Reddy Vitreo, Retina Surgeon of Mata Sadhuram Hospital, Hyderabad, India said very few people realize that smoking is able to affect eye health and the worst can cause loss of sight.

Dr. Vitreo explained that the toxins in cigarette smoke eventually enter the flow of blood distributed throughout the body including the eyes. This can cause various types of eye problems such as dry eyes, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration regarding age, and optical nerve problems. Most of these cases can also cause permanent blindness if adequate action is not taken on time.

"In addition, tobacco smoke can also affect the surrounding eye tissue that causes disruption to the eyelids and swelling under the eyes," said Dr. Vitreo.

Eye problems due to smoking Tobacco smoke contain more than 7,000 harmful chemicals, some of which can greatly damage eye health. Here are some eye problems that can be caused by cigarettes:

Dry eyes occur when the number of tears cannot be produced by the eyes to lubricate the surface of the eyes. Symptoms of dry eyes are usually redness, sandy feelings, general discomfort, and sore. Tobacco smoke is the main contributor of dry eyes because it can break the lipid layer of the eye film.

AMD begins with a loss of central vision that makes it difficult for a person to see fine details and read. Over time, loss of sight will increase rapidly.

Between two types of AMD (dry and wet), dry AMD is quite common. In the case of dry AMD, fat deposits began to gather under light sensing cells in the back of the eye (retina).

In dry AMDs, loss of sight usually worsens gradually. When it comes to wet AMDs, small blood vessels under the retina burst or leaked. This changes the vision and causes the scar tissue to form.

Smoking increases the risk of cataracts at any age. The cataract can be defined as a riot in a clear natural eye lens. Catarics usually worsen when people get older. Most of them appear in the parents and those who smoke, cataracts can cause blurred and blurred vision that can be improved with surgery.

Glaukoma is a group of eye disease caused by increased pressure in the eyes. The increase in pressure is usually caused by the buildup of excess fluid in the eyes. The main concern with increased pressure is optical nerve damage, which is the only link between the brain and the eyes. A study in 2018, found that the more cigarettes smoked by ordinary smokers, the greater the chance of developing glaukuma.

There are several actions smokers can take to protect their eyes from damage. Here are some tips:

Clear advice is to stop or reduce smoking habits. This not only helps people who smoke but even those around them to protect their eyes from damage.

Diet plays an important role in overall eye health. Diets rich in vitamin C, E, zinc, omega 3 fatty acids, and others can help reduce possible eye damage.

In addition to smoking, other practices and activities can cause damage to the eyes. Looking at the screen for a long time is one of them. Most screens such as TV, minta phones, laptops, and others emit blue light, which can be very dangerous for the eyes. One must ensure limited screen time and also train the eyes regularly to reduce damage.

Regular eye exams are important to keep the eye safe. Toxic elements can accumulate in the lens of the eye and only through routine examinations a person can avoid eye damage. "In addition to worsening eye health, cigarettes contribute greatly to the development of other diseases that can sometimes be fatal. It's always a good idea to quit smoking or seek professional help to get rid of habits to protect overall vision and health," said Dr. Vitreo.