It is a commonly acknowledged fact that smoking is detrimental to your health. However, most people don’t take the time to think about how smoking affects their eyes. For example, did you know that smoking is a preventable cause of blindness?
Smoking and LASIK
Many patients want to know: will my smoking affect my decision to have LASIK in Orange County? The short answer is, yes.
Smoking and the LASIK Healing Process
Smoking has a negative effect on the entire body, including depressing the immune system and constricting blood vessels. Both factors impair the body’s ability to heal after surgery.
Smoking and Tissue Damage
Smokers have increased eye tissue damage due to their habit, which increases risk of developing a serious eye infection during recovery from LASIK eye surgery. This is because the damaged tissues will not allow the corneal incision made during LASIK eye surgery to repair itself correctly in recovery.
Smoking, LASIK and Dry Eye
The problems many smokers have with dry eyes are exasperated by LASIK eye surgery. In addition, after LASIK your eyes will be more sensitive to smoke, wind, and other irritants, so it is important to avoid exposure to first and second-hand smoke during recovery.
*Tip for a Healthy LASIK Recovery
• Quit smoking 3-8 weeks before undergoing LASIK in Orange County with Dr. Ghosheh.
Smoking and Contact Lenses
Cigarette smoke is a drying agent. It makes the eyes’ natural moisture evaporate more quickly, causing the eyes to feel dry and uncomfortable – especially while wearing contact lenses. Smokers who wear contacts have been shown to have four times the risk of infection; this has the potential to lead to the loss off clear vision.
Smoking and Blindness
Smoking is a preventable cause of blindness; this is a piece of information very few smokers have ever heard. The voices of optometrists have been largely silent in the fight for tobacco use cessation and prevention, despite the vital role doctors play in patient health choices. The following are two examples of how smoking cigarettes can contribute to blindness.
Diabetic Retinopathy
The eye is one of many parts of the body that diabetes can affect. Diabetic Retinopathy is the swelling and damage to the blood vessels of the retina. It can result in blindness if left untreated. Risk factors include high blood pressure, pregnancy, drinking alcohol, and smoking.
Transient Ischemic Attack (ISA)
TIA is the most common cause of temporary vision loss (more commonly called a “mini-stroke.”) It is fairly common for TIA’s to occur more than once in the same year, and most victims are seniors. Smoking is one of the major risk factors.
Other Health Conditions Affected by Smoking Cigarettes
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
AMD causes the center of your vision to blur while your peripheral vision, or the outer edges, to remain unchanged. Although AMD is, in general, related to the aging process, smokers and people who have had too much UV exposure are said to be at especially high risk.
Uveitis
Uveitis is inflammation of the uvea, the eye’s middle layer. Uveitis harms the structures of the eye and can lead to cataracts, glaucoma, retinal detachment, and vision loss. The condition is more common in smokers than nonsmokers.
Cataracts
Cataracts are, simply put, a clouding of the lens of the eye. This can be caused by aging, injury, genetics, or disease. Cataracts often develop at different rates in each eye. Certain medications, too much sun exposure, and smoking are all risk factors for the development of cataracts.
Grave’s Disease
Grave’s Disease, aka Thyroid Ophthalmopathy, is an autoimmune disease. Its hallmarks are fattier connective tissue and larger muscles around the eye. Smoking is a major risk factor.
Infant Eye Disease
Smoking while pregnant increases the chance of serious health problems for the lifespan of your baby, including infant eye disorders. Smoking during pregnancy is associated with premature births as well as increased rates of crossed eyes, retinal problems, refractive errors, and optic nerve problems.
If you want to quit smoking and would like a guiding hand, Get Help Here.
LASIK in Orange County
Dr. Ghosheh and our team at Advanced Eye Medical are here for any vision related questions you may have about your health. With four decades of experience and knowledge of the Orange County community, Dr. Ghosheh will help give you results you can be proud of. Contact Advanced Eye Medical Today!