Which eye diseases can be exacerbated by smoking?
August 23, 2023 | 20,00 EUR | answered by Tobias Helbig
Dear doctor,
My name is Andreas Ullmann and I have a question regarding my eye health. Lately, I have noticed that my vision has deteriorated and I have been experiencing dry eyes more frequently. I am concerned that these symptoms may be caused by smoking. I have been smoking for many years and I have heard that smoking can predispose to various eye diseases.
I am wondering which eye diseases specifically can be exacerbated by smoking and if my symptoms could possibly be related to it. Are there any specific tests that I should undergo to assess my eye health? Are there also treatment options available if it turns out that my complaints are caused by smoking?
I would greatly appreciate a detailed response so that I can better understand how my smoking behavior could affect my eye health and what I can do to protect my eyes. Thank you in advance for your help.
Sincerely,
Andreas Ullmann
Dear Mr. Ullmann,
Thank you for your message and your trust in my expertise in ophthalmology. It is very important that you are concerned about your eye health, especially if you notice changes such as poor eyesight and dry eyes. Your suspicion that smoking may have an impact on your eye problems is indeed justified. In fact, there are a variety of eye diseases that can be exacerbated by smoking.
One of the most well-known eye diseases associated with smoking is age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This condition affects the macula, the area of sharpest vision in the eye, and can lead to vision loss. Smoking significantly increases the risk of developing AMD. Additionally, smoking can also negatively affect the progression of other eye diseases such as glaucoma. Smokers have a higher risk of developing glaucoma and experiencing a faster progression of the disease.
Furthermore, smoking can contribute to dry eyes, as the smoke can impair tear production and increase eye irritation. Dry eyes can cause symptoms such as burning, itching, foreign body sensation, and blurred vision. Therefore, it is possible that your current symptoms are related to smoking.
To assess your eye health, I recommend that you see an eye doctor. The eye doctor can conduct a thorough examination to determine if your symptoms are due to an eye disease and if smoking is a risk factor. Additionally, special tests such as a retinal examination or measurement of eye pressure can be performed to detect potential damage early on.
If it turns out that your symptoms are related to smoking, there are various treatment options to improve your eye health. These may include special eye drops to moisturize the eyes in cases of dry eye, or possibly therapy to treat AMD or glaucoma.
It is important that you are aware of the effects of smoking on your eyes and take appropriate measures to protect your eye health. I strongly recommend that you quit smoking and undergo regular eye examinations to detect and treat potential damage early on.
I hope that my response has been helpful to you and I am available for any further questions. I wish you all the best for your eye health and hope that you take the necessary steps to protect your eyes.
Best regards,
Tobias Helbig, Ophthalmologist
