The Journal of the American Medical Association ophthalmology division, JAMA Ophthalmology, published a study that reveals second-hand smoke may damage children’s eyes. The damage caused to eyes can result in vision problems later on in life, according to the study.
How Second-Hand Smoke Damages Children’s Eyes
According to the study, children exposed to second-hand smoke can experience what is medically known as a thinning of the choroid. The choroid is a layer at the back of the eye that contains a considerable number of blood vessels, and it is responsible for providing nourishment and oxygen to the eye, specifically to the retina. The thinning of the choroid as a consequence of exposure to second-hand smoke reduces the amount of nourishment and oxygen getting to the retina, causing permanent damage to the eye structure as well as the prospect for impaired vision.
A shocking 40 percent of children under the age of 18 live in a household where they are regularly exposed to second-hand smoke, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thus, nearly half the children in the country are at risk of developing eye damage and vision issues as a result of exposure to second-hand smoke.
Smoking and Eye Health of a Smoker
While the research study involving eye damage, vision impairment, second-hand smoke, and children presents new information, smoking has long been known to harm the eye health of a smoker. An array of different types of eye disease and conditions can be traced to smoking. These include:
- Dry Eye
- Cataracts
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration or AMD
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Optic Nerve Problems
- Uveitis
- Graves’ Disease
Smoking, Eye Care, and Eye Health
The bottom line regarding smoking, eye care, and eye health is direct and simple. The only course you can take to protect your children’s eye health (and your own) is to stop smoking. The negative consequences of smoking when it comes to your children’s vision and your own is profound.
If you have concerns about your eye health and vision because of smoking, or if you’re worried about your children’s exposure to second-hand smoke, you should consult with an experienced eye doctor. An eye doctor can identify eye disease and other issues in their early states of development.
You can schedule an appointment with the eye doctors at Matossian Eye Associates right now by calling (800) 708-8800 reaching out online. The eye doctors on the Matossian Eye Associates team have helped many patients who’ve smoked or been exposed to second-hand smoke on a consistent basis.
