Smoking causes blindness too
More than 15 per cent of people over the age of 50 will have serious vision problems, or even blindness, due to the condition known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). There is now strong evidence that smokers are up to 5 times more likely to develop this problem than non-smokers.
Two separate Australian studies, from the Universities of Sydney and Melbourne, have demonstrated this connection, together with evidence that smokers are also at increased risk of sight problems due to cataracts.
In countries where it is compulsory to carry health warnings on cigarette packets, don’t be surprised to see the message ‘Smoking can make you go blind’.
Last Reviewed: 26 February 2002
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