Does smoking affect presbyopia?

Smoking is known to damage overall health – but how does it affect the eyes? Especially when it comes to presbyopia, many ask themselves whether smoking can accelerate or intensify the ageing process of the eyes.
The answer is complex.

Because while presbyopia is a natural change of the eye in old age and is not influenced by lifestyle, smoking can aggravate numerous other eye diseases or impair general vision. 

In this article, we examine how smoking affects eye health, whether there is a connection with presbyopia and various eye diseases, and what measures those affected can take.

Smoking and presbyopia – is there a connection?

A direct link between smoking and presbyopia has not yet been clearly proven. Presbyopia is a natural aging phenomenon in which the eye lens loses its flexibility and can no longer adjust sufficiently to nearby objects. This change usually occurs from the age of 40 and makes it difficult to see at close range.

The cause of presbyopia lies in the declining elasticity of the lens and the associated accommodation capacity. Unlike nearsightedness or farsightedness, which are due to the shape of the eyeball, presbyopia is directly linked to the aging process. However, there is evidence that smoking accelerates the aging process of the body and may also cause the lens of the eye to age faster.

In addition, there is a link between smoking and other diseases, which in turn have an influence on presbyopia. Diabetes or cardiovascular diseases, for example, can contribute to the early onset of presbyopia.¹

And last but not least, smoking – although not directly on presbyopia – has an influence on eye health in general. By promoting the occurrence of other visual impairments and eye diseases, the overall suffering pressure can increase – so the symptoms of presbyopia are more pronounced.

That is why we will take a closer look at the effects of cigarette consumption on the eye in the next chapter.

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 prove and substantiate with figures. For example, it was found that the risk of developing glaucoma is almost twice as high in smokers. The cataract 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 have an 83% higher risk. And finally, there is also a roughly one-third higher risk for cataracts if you regularly use cigarettes.²

The reasons why smoking has a detrimental effect on our eye health are manifold. On the one hand, it is the toxins ingested that have a negative impact on the body as a whole.

In addition, smoking promotes the emergence of diseases that are in turn linked to eye health – from circulatory disorders to diabetes and high blood pressure. And finally, smoking also promotes Sicca syndrome, i.e. morbidly dry eyes.²

At the same time, however, these findings also open up a certain scope for action by reducing or, at best, completely shutting down cigarette consumption. For example, data also show that the risk of AMD in former smokers is still increased by 42%, but far from that of active smokers.

In addition, it was found that there is a correlation between the risk of glaucoma and the intensity and duration of smoking behaviour.²

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

Smoking and eye health

Although smoking has no demonstrable effects on presbyopia, it does have an effect on other eye diseases. Here’s an overview:

• 83% increased risk of age-related macular degeneration
• almost twice as high risk for cataracts
• increased risk of cataracts by around a third
• Smoking promotes Sicca syndrome
• Smoking can promote primary diseases such as diabetes or cardiovascular problems that can affect eyes (and can also promote 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 reduce or quit smoking 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 have smoked.

A healthy diet, rich in antioxidants and vitamins, can help protect the eyes. Regular eye checks are also crucial to detect and treat problems at an early stage.

The use of sunglasses with UV protection can protect the eyes from harmful radiation, while artificial tears or eye drops can help alleviate the symptoms of Sicca syndrome.

Nevertheless, it must be noted that there is little to nothing you can do about presbyopia itself by refraining from smoking. However, as already mentioned, other eye diseases can be prevented, so that the overall suffering can be alleviated.

And last but not least, it is beneficial for general health if smokers reduce their cigarette consumption or reduce it completely to zero.

Diagnosis and treatment of presbyopia – from vision aids to eye lasers

The diagnosis of presbyopia is made by an ophthalmologist, who determines the degree of visual impairment with the help of vision tests and special devices such as the autorefractometer. Typical treatment options include reading glasses, progressive vision glasses or multifocal contact lenses. These visual aids allow those affected to see clearly at close range again and to master everyday life without any problems.

Bányai Neue Augen also offers various laser treatments to correct presbyopia in order to provide a permanent solution to presbyopia.

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

Whether and which procedure for the laser eye treatment of presbyopia is suitable for you, we will clarify together at a personal consultation in our laser eye centre in Stuttgart or laser eye centre in Karlsruhe.

We not only examine your eye health and the degree of your presbyopia, but also discuss different treatment options. In this way, we want to make sure that you are informed and enlightened about the treatment that promises the best results for you.