BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking has long been acknowledged as a major risk factor for many of the leading causes of death. Its role in ocular disease has received far less attention. METHODS: This article reviews a large number of recent studies that have investigated a possible link between cigarette smoking and two major causes of blindness--cataract and age-related macular degeneration. RESULTS: The preponderance of evidence shows a causal relationship between cigarette smoking and both cataract and age-related macular degeneration. CONCLUSIONS: As primary eye care providers, optometrists should educate patients regarding the dangers of smoking as it relates to ocular health and consider a role in discouraging patients from starting or continuing this harmful habit.
BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking has long been acknowledged as a major risk factor for many of the leading causes of death. Its role in ocular disease has received far less attention. METHODS: This article reviews a large number of recent studies that have investigated a possible link between cigarette smoking and two major causes of blindness--cataract and age-related macular degeneration. RESULTS: The preponderance of evidence shows a causal relationship between cigarette smoking and both cataract and age-related macular degeneration. CONCLUSIONS: As primary eye care providers, optometrists should educate patients regarding the dangers of smoking as it relates to ocular health and consider a role in discouraging patients from starting or continuing this harmful habit.
Authors: Sudha K Iyengar; Danhong Song; Barbara E K Klein; Ronald Klein; James H Schick; Jennifer Humphrey; Christopher Millard; Rachel Liptak; Karlie Russo; Gyungah Jun; Kristine E Lee; Bonnie Fijal; Robert C Elston Journal: Am J Hum Genet Date: 2003-12-19 Impact factor: 11.025
Authors: Alfred E Yawson; Edith M Ackuaku-Dogbe; Nana A Hagan Seneadza; George Mensah; Nadia Minicuci; Nirmala Naidoo; Somnath Chatterji; Paul Kowal; Richard B Biritwum Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2014-09-12 Impact factor: 3.295