Cigarette smoking is an important factor in the pathogenesis and progression of several diseases of the eye, including age-related macular degeneration, cataracts and Graves’ ophthalmopathy, and also reduces the efficacy of therapy and surgical treatment. Nicotine and reactive oxygen species contribute to vasoconstriction, reduced oxygen availability and chronic inflammation. The awareness among eye care professionals of the effects of smoking on the eye is adequate, but many do not participate actively in identifying smokers and providing them with advice and support to quit. A barrier to quitting smoking in patients with eye diseases is their lack of knowledge that smoking can be harmful to their eyesight. More awareness is needed to increase the education process and to engage with patients to advise and support them to quit.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Graham F. Cope (2014) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: