Smoking and Vision Loss in the Elderly
Many people are aware of the dangers that smoking pose on your short-term and long-term health, yet to quit smoking is easier said than done. A part of the body that is least expected to be affected by smoking is the eye, yet as we grow older and continue to smoke, a disease called Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) can take away our sharp central vision.
Age-related Macular Degeneration can occur in two different forms: wet and dry. Wet or advanced AMD happens when abnormal blood vessels that are weak and can leak fluid, grow behind the retina. Without proper medical attention from an Ophthalmologist, damage occur immediately and vision loss is soon to follow. A symptom of AMD is straight lines that appear to be wavy.
Smoking is very dangerous for the elderly, and researchers at the University of California's Eye Institute found that it increases the risk of AMD. Just like the signs of hearing loss found through hearing programs for Opthalmologists, vision loss can be identified and treated. Investigators hypothesize that smoking increases the risk of AMD by contaminated the blood that goes to the eye, destroying the ability to convey pigments. Just another reason to stop!