Most smokers are unaware of the fact that smoking causes age-related macular degeneration and blindness. Macular is the central part of the retina at the back of the eye that catches light and provides vision. This disease makes it hard to recognize faces, drive or read. Macular degeneration may lead to blindness as it causes irreversible loss of central vision. It is a progressive disease and it commonly affects people over 60 years of age. However, a recent research has revealed that smokers may develop macular degeneration about 15 years earlier than non-smokers.
The symptoms of age-related macular degeneration include blurred vision, atrophy, distorted vision, haemorrhages in the eye, and slow recovery of visual function after an exposure to bright light.
The number of cigarettes smoked and the number of years you smoke increase the risk of macular degeneration. According to various studies, passive smoking also increases risk of blindness, cataracts and macular degeneration. However, the good news is that this disorder can be prevented by quitting smoking. If you quit smoking, your risk of vision loss decreases and 15 years after quitting, your risk of developing macular degeneration is the same as someone who has never smoked.
Make sure that you use a dietary supplement that takes care of your eye health. Vitabiotics Aquamarine 2 in 1 Omega-3 & Cod Liver Oil is a popular brand on the market that makes an ideal combination of vitamins A, D & E, omega-3 and cod liver oils. Vitamin A or retinol plays an important role in maintaining the health of your eyes and promoting skin health. Vitamin D promotes strong bones and improves immune system. Vitamin E works at cellular level to protect against carcinogens and potentially harmful radicals. Omega-3 nutrients help maintain the health of cardiovascular system, joints, brain and eye.
