Cigarettes and Macular Degeneration
Smoking is a reversible risk factor for
advancing macular degeneration
 The incidence of
age-related macular degeneration
(AMD) is rising every year. It is estimated
that fifteen million Americans are affected by this
sight-robbing disease.
AMD has several risk factors -- age, genetics,
environmental, are among the most common. Of
the modifiable risk factors, smoking is the biggest
contributor to the progression of macular
degeneration. Multiple studies have indicated
that there is a 2.5 to threefold increase in the
risk of AMD in
smokers. This data is not a
surprise to researchers, but what is an interesting
finding is the risk difference between current
smokers and ex-smokers.
Data pooled between studies done in North
America, Europe and Australia have shown a gap
between current and non-smokers, with the current
smokers having a threefold increase in all forms of
AMD (wet and dry), a 2.4-fold increase in atrophic
AMD and a 4.5-fold increase in wet AMD.
Doctors at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston,
released data on a study that monitored about 1,500
patients with and without age related macular
degeneration. The multi-year study found that
patients who smoked were 22.47 times more likely to
develop AMD. Obesity in these same individuals
multiplied the risk of AMD development.
The study suggests that individuals with a history
of obesity and/or
smoking would be well advised to change these
habits or risk the likelihood of some form of
macular degeneration as they age.
Smokers should get regular
dilated eye exams to
evaluate the
macula and
retina.
These study data should send a convincing message to
current smokers. The message?: It's
never too late to quit! |
