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Health news - Smoking doubles the risk of blindness16 September 2005 - written by Zosia Kmietowicz for BUPA's health information team Smokers are twice as likely to lose their sight compared with non-smokers as they grow older.1 There is a proven link between smoking and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is the leading cause of sight loss in older people. Yet most smokers have no idea that their habit could affect their eyes according to the results of the recently released AMD Alliance International Survey 2005.2 How was the study carried out?Researchers interviewed 1023 people in the UK by telephone. They were asked if they smoked; nearly one third said they did. They were also asked how much they knew about age-related macular degeneration (AMD).2 Those that knew something about AMD were asked to name the part of the body they thought was affected by it. They were given a list of organs to choose from. Interviewees were also asked what they thought were the main risk factors for AMD.2 What were the findings?
What is the increased risk of blindness if you smoke?People who smoke may be twice as likely to develop AMD, and risk blindness, compared with those who have never smoked.1 Some studies put smokers' risk at three to four times that of non-smokers.2,3 What is AMD?The macula is a small, but crucial, area of the retina at the back of your eye. Cells in the macula are important for clear central vision, as well as distinguishing colours. You use them when you read, drive, watch TV, use a computer and sew, for example.2 In AMD, the cells in the macula gradually deteriorate so that they are no longer able to do their job properly. One eye tends to be affected first, but the other eye often becomes damaged sometime later. The main symptoms are blurred or distorted vision.2 Often there are no symptoms in the early stages of AMD. There are two types of AMD - dry AMD and wet AMD.2 What is the difference between dry AMD and wet AMD?Dry AMD is the most common form. It takes several years for the macula to become so badly damaged that sight is affected. There is no treatment for this type of AMD.2 Wet AMD is much less common, but it tends to progress more quickly. People can start to lose their sight in just a few months. Wet AMD occurs when new blood vessels form behind the macula. The blood vessels leak into the eye causing damage to the macula. If it's diagnosed early, some treatments can help to slow down or stop this damage.2 The exact reason why the cells of the macula are damaged in AMD is not known. Who is affected?As its name suggests, older people are most at risk of AMD. It generally affects people over 50. Approximately 1 in 10 people aged 55 to 64 is affected. This rises to nearly 2 in 10 people aged 65 to 74, and 3 in 10 people over 74.1 Out of those affected, approximately 8 in 100 people over 75 will have some degree of blindness.2 How many people suffer from AMD in the UK?Every week 300 people in the UK lose their sight because of AMD.4 Altogether an estimated 500,000 people in the UK have the condition.4 What are the other main risk factors?As well as smoking, having a history of AMD in your family increases your risk of AMD. Other risk factors include:2
Why does smoking increase the risk?No one knows for certain but there are several theories. Researchers think that certain chemicals in cigarette smoke might disrupt blood flow to the retina, resulting in damage. These chemicals may also alter nutrients in the blood called antioxidants, which are thought to protect the macula against damage.5 Does the risk lessen if you quit smoking? How long after?Stopping smoking does reduce the risk of developing AMD, but it may take as long as 15 or 20 years of not smoking before an ex-smoker's risk drops to the level of someone who had never smoked.5 What do the researchers advise?The researchers say that the most important thing you can do to protect yourself against AMD is not to smoke, and if you do smoke, to stop.2 However, they admit that quitting can be difficult and advise people who want to stop smoking to see a professional who can help them. There are a number of other things you can do to reduce your risk of AMD.2
BUPA InformationFurther information
References
All pages were accessed on 12/09/05
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