How does smoking affect your eyes?

There’s no doubt about it. Smoking (and the use of tobacco) is a well-known health hazard, claiming more than 8 million lives each year, according to the World Health Organization.  

Beyond its well-documented risks to the heart, kidneys, lungs and other vital organs, cigarette smoking also poses a severe threat to your eye health.

1. Smoking can increase your risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.

As reported by the United States Food and Drug Administration, those who smoke cigarettes are about 40% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, as compared to non-smokers. Diabetes, in turn, leads to an increased risk of diabetic retinopathy, which is an eye condition that occurs as a complication of diabetes.  

When excess sugar in the blood blocks the small blood vessels in the retina of your eyes, these tiny vessels may start to swell, rupture and leak blood into the retina. It damages the eyes, and may ultimately lead to blindness.  

READ MORE: The different ways you could lose your sight 

2. Smoking can make you more vulnerable to developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

If you’re a smoker, this research says that you’re two to four times more likely to develop age-related macular degeneration, compared to those who have never smoked. In fact, smoking could accelerate the development of AMD, causing it to appear earlier in life.  

One of the leading causes of blindness for people aged 50 and above, AMD affects the central part of the retina that allows you to see fine details. Its effects are irreversible and undoubtedly devastating, significantly impairing your ability to engage in daily activities from driving to reading. 

3. Smoking may lead to an earlier onset of cataracts.

Cataracts occur when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, thus blurring your vision. Contrary to popular belief, it’s an eye condition that doesn’t just affect the elderly. It can affect individuals of all ages. It’s also irreversible and can only be corrected through surgery.  

For smokers, the risk of developing cataracts at a younger age is much higher. This is due to the higher amount of free radicals in the eyes, which destroys proteins and results in deposits being formed on the lens of the eyes. 

READ MORE: How to find a good optometrist in Singapore 

4. Smoking may increase your risk of retinal detachment.

To be more specific, the use of cigarettes can more than double your risk of retinal detachment. It’s a sight threatening condition where a tear in the retina (the light-sensitive part of your eye that’s responsible for clear vision) causes fluid to seep under the retina, separating it from the wall of the eye.  

Such retinal tears and detachments are more likely to occur when you’re exposed to the toxic substances of cigarettes, which weakens the tissues in your eyes.

5. Smoking can lead to increased risk of developing uveitis.

Not sure what uveitis is? Check out our eye health glossary here. This eye condition affects your uvea, which is the middle layer of your eyeball, and causes it to be inflamed. As cigarette smoking often gives rise to inflammatory disorders, it would not come as a surprise to see a direct correlation between smoking and the inflammation of the uvea. If left untreated, uveitis can damage vital tissues in your eyes and lead to permanent vision loss. 

The good news about traditional cigarette smoking is that it’s on the decline. According to a survey by Milieu Insight, smokers in Singapore on average have been cutting down on the number of cigarettes they smoke per week – from 72 sticks in the third quarter of 2021, to 56 in the fourth quarter of 2023. 

However, a concerning trend has emerged in this same time period: the rise of vaping, particularly among youths. In Singapore, this is gaining pace with 5.2% of the population using products like e-cigarettes and vapes in 2023 – a rise from 3.9% in 2021. 

Although the research in this area is still nascent, vaping could still give rise to eye health problems later in life. For instance, e-cigarettes can affect the quality and stability of the tear film, which serves to protect and lubricate the cornea. This can contribute to the development of dry eyes.  

What’s more alarming are the potential carcinogenic components of e-cigarettes and vapes. It may result in the development of conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), which is a slow-growing tumour that may cause the eyes to look red or yellowish.

The detrimental effects of both smoking and vaping on your eye health cannot be overstated. Whether you’re a current or former smoker, we strongly recommend heading down to a certified optometrist like Chew’s Optics for regular comprehensive eye examinations.  

By scheduling regular check-ups, you can take a more proactive approach to monitoring your eye health, and make sure any potential issues are detected early.  

Visit us at Chew’s Optics at 144 Teck Whye Lane, #01-211, Singapore. We are open daily except Mondays and Fridays, and you can text or call us directly on WhatsApp at +65 8314 7093.