How Smoking Affects Your Eyes, Not Just Your Lungs

Most people know that smoking can harm the lungs and heart, but you may not have considered its impact on your eyes. From dryness and irritation to serious eye diseases, smoking affects nearly every part of the visual system.

At Eye Care Institute in Santa Rosa, California, our board-certified ophthalmologists and optometrist help patients protect their vision at every stage of life. Understanding how smoking impacts your eye health is an important step toward seeing as clearly as possible.

Smoking and the Surface of Your Eyes

Tobacco smoke contains thousands of chemicals, many of which irritate and inflame your eyes. Regular exposure can reduce tear production, leading to chronic dryness, redness, and discomfort.

Over time, this irritation can make wearing contact lenses uncomfortable and may contribute to more frequent eye infections.

Long-Term Effects on Vision

Smoking is linked to several serious eye conditions, including:

• Cataracts: Smokers are more likely to develop clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which causes blurry or hazy vision.
• Macular Degeneration: This condition damages the part of the retina responsible for central vision and is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults. Smoking is considered one of its strongest modifiable risk factors.
• Diabetic Retinopathy: For those with diabetes, smoking can worsen circulation problems that damage the blood vessels in the retina, accelerating vision loss.

How Quitting Helps Your Eyes

The good news is that quitting smoking can help slow or even reduce your risk of these conditions. Improved circulation brings more oxygen to the eyes, and antioxidant levels begin to recover within weeks. Over time, many patients notice less dryness and irritation as the body begins to repair itself.

Protecting Your Vision at Any Age

Even if you’ve smoked for years, it’s never too late to work on improving your eye health. Regular eye exams allow your doctor to detect early changes before symptoms appear. Eye Care Institute uses advanced diagnostics to monitor vision changes and create a care plan for long-term eye health.

Call 707-546-9800 to schedule an appointment with Eye Care Institute in Santa Rosa.

Disclaimer:
The information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Consult your PCP or eye doctor before starting any new therapies. To schedule a consultation, please contact us.