4 terrible evils that the cigarette can bring to your vision

The ophthalmologist puts on the agenda the silent damage that smoking causes to eye health

The good news is that the number of smokers in Brazil is decreasing. To get a general idea, the latest survey carried out by the Ministry of Health in 2019 showed that 9.3% of the national population smokes, a figure 40% lower than in 2006, when 15.6% of women smoked. people.

The bad news is that the pseudo-pleasure of smoking still causes damage to health in the most diverse organs of the human body and, worse, silently. An example of this is the damage that smoking does to eye health. the ophthalmologist Hallim Feres Netomember of the Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology and director of Prisma Visão, recognizes how this topic goes unnoticed.

“People are generally aware of the negative effects of cigarettes on areas like the lungs and heart, but few are aware of how smoking can seriously affect vision,” she says.

Toxic substances in the blood

According to him, when smoke is inhaled and the various toxic substances found in cigarettes enter the bloodstream, there is an increase in inflammation in the body, which reduces oxygenation.

“Smoking reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the eyes and is associated with numerous eye diseases,” he explains.

Among the most common, Feres Neto cites cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, uveitis and diabetic retinopathy, as well as dry eye syndrome, a condition directly and extremely influenced by the use of cigarettes.

“Cigarette smoke contains many toxic and irritating substances that can cause inflammation and irritation directly on the surface of the eye, affecting tear production and quality. By the way, nicotine can affect tear production by interfering with the nerves that control tear production. function” , explains the ophthalmologist.

Still ailments caused by smoking

Other side effects that lead to worsening eye health include the influence of cigarettes on thyroid disease and Sjögren’s disease, which is an immune system disorder characterized by dry eyes and mouth.

“Not to mention that passive exposure to cigarette smoke can also irritate the eyes and worsen dry eye symptoms in non-smokers,” warns Feres Neto.

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The situation is even worse for lens wearers. The ophthalmologist explains that the reduction in oxygenation favored by smoking reaches the corneas, which in the case of contact lens wearers already suffer from reduced oxygenation due to the use of the lenses themselves.

“This combination can increase the risk of infections and ulcers in the cornea,” she explains.

Finally, Feres Neto reiterates: “Quitting smoking is one of the best decisions anyone can make to protect their vision and health in general.”

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Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.