Impact of Smoking on Intraocular Pressure among Young and Middle-Aged Adults (18–40 Years) in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Central India

Background: Smoking has long been implicated in systemic diseases, but its direct association with intraocular pressure (IOP), a key modifiable risk factor for glaucoma, remains uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of smoking on IOP among young and middle-aged adults in Central India.Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 240 participants aged 18–40 years attending the Ophthalmology Outpatient Department at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Central India. Participants were divided into two groups: 120 smokers and 120 non-smokers. IOP was measured using Goldmann Applanation Tonometry, and central corneal thickness was assessed by pachymetry. Smoking intensity was quantified in pack-years. Statistical analysis included independent t-tests and Pearson’s correlation using SPSS version 25.0.Results: The mean IOP among smokers was 16.3 ± 2.8 mmHg compared to 14.5 ± 2.3 mmHg in non-smokers (p < 0.001). A positive correlation was found between pack-years and IOP (r = 0.41, p = 0.002). Duration of smoking also showed a significant association with elevated IOP (p = 0.015). Central corneal thickness did not differ significantly between the two groups.Conclusion: Smoking is associated with a statistically significant increase in intraocular pressure, and the rise correlates with both duration and intensity of smoking. These findings highlight smoking as a potential modifiable lifestyle risk factor in the prevention of glaucoma.