Patients in a recent retrospective study with active ocular inflammation who were currently smoking had a 7.8 month to recurrence, which was significantly shorter than that of nonsmokers (9.4 months) or previous smokers (10.7 months). A recurrence occurred in 60% of current smokers, in 54% of previous smokers and in 54% of nonsmokers. Also of note, 46% of 1,752 nonsmokers had a visual acuity of 20/50 or worse and 23% had a visual acuity to 20/200 or worse. Of the 401 previous smokers, 47% had a visual acuity of 20/50 or worse and 23% had a visual acuity of 20/200 or worse. However, among the 523 current smokers, 58% had a baseline visual acuity of 20/50 or worse and 30% had a visual acuity of 20/200 or worse.
Ocular Surgery news, October 10, 2010 pg 63
Cynthia Matossian, MD
