Smoking and sight loss
An ashtray of cigarettes with smoke against a black background.
Smoking can harm your sight by damaging the blood vessels and delicate tissues in your eyes. It also creates harmful substances called free radicals, which speed up ageing. Smoking makes it harder for your body to absorb vitamins and minerals from food. These nutrients are essential for keeping your eyes healthy.
Eye conditions linked to smoking
Research from UK studies and health bodies shows that smoking increases your risk of developing certain eye conditions. The link is strongest for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts and eye conditions related to diabetes.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
If you smoke, you’re two to four times more likely to develop AMD than non-smokers. You’re also more likely to develop it at a younger age.
AMD is one of the leading causes of sight loss in the UK. Smoking is the biggest risk factor for AMD that you can change.
Cataracts
People who smoke are twice as likely to develop cataracts. Cataracts are more likely to develop at an earlier age in adults who smoke and can progress faster.
Although cataracts are treatable, many people in the UK are still living with sight loss caused by cataracts.
Diabetes-related eye conditions
If you have diabetes and smoke, you have a higher risk of damaging the blood vessels in your retina.
Smoking can increase your blood pressure and raise your blood sugar level, making diabetes harder to manage. This can make diabetes-related eye conditions (diabetic retinopathy) worse and cause it to progress more quickly, which can lead to sight loss.
Thyroid eye disease (TED)
Smoking can make the symptoms of TED worse. It can also make treatment less effective.
Dry eye
Smoking can affect the balance of your tears, leaving your eyes feeling dry and irritated.
Uveitis
People who smoke are two times more likely to develop uveitis. Smoking can make uveitis worse and reduce how well treatments work.
Glaucoma
Smoking may increase your risk of developing glaucoma. It may also cause the condition to get worse more quickly and lead to sight loss.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and related eye conditions
Smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It damages the heart and blood vessels all over the body, including those in the eye, which can lead to sight problems.
Support to help you quit
Quitting smoking is one of the most important things you can do to protect your eyes and your overall health.
If you smoke, quitting smoking can reduce your risk of developing these eye conditions or slow their progression.
You can find free support to help you quit:
- England – Better Health Quit smoking
- Wales – Help me quit Wales
- Scotland – Quit your way Scotland
- Northern Ireland – Stop Smoking NI
You can also visit the NHS Live Well website for information, advice and support, with details of local stop smoking services.
