Smoking Can Cause Irreversible Eye Damage. Here's Why

Key Takeaways

Smoking damages sensitive eye tissues and increases the risk of conditions like age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma.

Secondhand smoke and cigarette residue can irritate the eyes.

E-cigarettes may also affect eye health, though research is still limited on their long-term impact.

Smoking can damage several tissues and organ systems in the body, and the eyes are no exception.

Toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke enter the bloodstream and damage sensitive tissues in the retina, lens, and macula of the eye. That increases the risk of developing conditions like macular degeneration and glaucoma, which cause irreversible vision loss.

The Link Between Smoking and Eye Damage

Smoking tobacco introduces various toxic compounds into the body that trigger inflammation in t