Does smoking affect presbyopia?

Smoking is known to damage overall health – but how does it affect the eyes? In particular, when it comes to presbyopia, many people wonder whether smoking can accelerate or worsen the eyes’ aging process.
The answer is complex.

While presbyopia is a natural age-related change of the eye and is not influenced by lifestyle, smoking can worsen many other eye diseases or impair overall vision. 

In this article, we explore how smoking affects eye health, whether it is linked to presbyopia and other eye conditions, and what steps people affected can take.

Smoking and presbyopia – is there a connection?

A direct connection between smoking and presbyopia has not been definitively established. Presbyopia is a natural age-related condition in which the eye’s lens loses its flexibility and can no longer adequately focus on near objects. This change typically begins around age 40 and makes near vision more difficult.

The cause of presbyopia is the reduced elasticity of the lens and the resulting decline in its ability to accommodate. Unlike nearsightedness or farsightedness, which are caused by the shape of the eyeball, presbyopia is directly related to the aging process. However, there is evidence that smoking accelerates the body’s aging and may also cause the eye’s lens to age more quickly.

In addition, there is a link between smoking and other conditions that, in turn, influence presbyopia. Diabetes or cardiovascular diseases, for example, can contribute to an earlier onset of presbyopia.¹

And last but not least, smoking – although it doesn’t directly cause presbyopia – affects eye health in general. By promoting the development of other visual impairments and eye diseases, it can increase the overall burden – making the symptoms of presbyopia more pronounced.

That is why, in the next chapter, we will take a closer look at the effects of cigarette smoking on the eyes.

¹ Gesundheitsinformation.de: Presbyopia.https://www.gesundheitsinformation.de/alterssichtigkeit-presbyopie.html

Smoking and the risk of eye diseases

Smoking is a significant risk factor for various age-related eye diseases, as the Eye Foundation has been able to scientifically demonstrate and back up with figures. For example, it found that the risk of developing glaucoma is almost twice as high in smokers. Glaucoma is one of the most common causes of blindness in Germany.²

The situation is similar with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), for which smokers face an 83% higher risk. And finally, there is also roughly a one-third higher risk of developing cataracts if you smoke regularly.²

There are many reasons why smoking harms our eye health. For one, the toxins it introduces negatively affect the body as a whole.

In addition, smoking contributes to the development of conditions that are linked to eye health – from circulatory disorders to diabetes and high blood pressure. Finally, smoking also contributes to Sicca syndrome, i.e., pathologically dry eyes.²

At the same time, these findings also provide some room for action, namely by reducing or, ideally, quitting cigarette consumption entirely. For example, data show that the risk of AMD in former smokers is still 42% higher, but far lower than that of active smokers.

In addition, a correlation was found between glaucoma risk and both the intensity and duration of smoking.²

² ÄrzteZeitung: How smoking clouds vision. https://www.aerztezeitung.de/Medizin/Wie-Rauchen-die-Sicht-vernebelt-411825.html 

Smoking and Eye Health

While smoking has no proven effect on presbyopia, it does affect other eye diseases. Here’s an overview:

• 83% increased risk of age-related macular degeneration
• almost twice the risk of glaucoma
• about a one-third higher risk of cataracts
• Smoking increases the risk of Sicca syndrome
• Smoking can increase the risk of systemic conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease that can affect the eyes (and may also contribute to presbyopia).

Sources: Gesundheitsinformation.de | ÄrzteZeitung

What can smokers do to protect their eye health?

For smokers who want to protect their eye health, the first and most important step is to cut down on smoking or quit altogether.

Research shows that quitting smoking has positive effects on the eyes and overall health. In addition, there are several ways to support eye health, even if you used to smoke.

A healthy diet rich in antioxidants and vitamins can help protect the eyes. Regular eye examinations are also crucial for detecting and treating problems early.

Wearing sunglasses with UV protection can shield the eyes from harmful radiation, while artificial tears or eye drops can help relieve the symptoms of Sicca syndrome.

Nevertheless, it should be noted that refraining from smoking does little or nothing to affect presbyopia itself. However, as already mentioned, other eye diseases can be prevented, which can reduce the overall burden.

And last but not least, it is beneficial for overall health if smokers reduce their cigarette consumption or quit entirely.

Diagnosis and treatment of presbyopia – from visual aids to laser eye surgery

The diagnosis of presbyopia is made by an ophthalmologist who determines the degree of vision loss using vision tests and specialized devices such as an autorefractor. Typical treatment options include reading glasses, progressive glasses, or multifocal contact lenses. These visual aids allow people to see clearly up close again and to manage daily life without difficulty.

Bányai Neue Augen also offers various laser treatments to correct presbyopia, providing a permanent solution.

PRESBYOND®, for example, is an advanced procedure based on blended vision that provides seamless correction for near and distance vision. Monovision can also be considered, as it is based on principles similar to the PRESBYOND® procedure. Refractive lens exchange (RLE) may also be an option. Here, the natural lens is replaced by a multifocal artificial lens that corrects both near and distance vision.

Whether a laser procedure for presbyopia is suitable for you, and if so which one, will be determined together during a personal consultation at our laser eye centre in Stuttgart or at our laser eye centre in Karlsruhe.

We not only assess your eye health and the extent of your presbyopia, but also discuss various treatment options. This ensures you are fully informed and understand which treatment is likely to offer the best results for you.