Smoking doesn't just damage your lungs; it affects many other organs, including your eyes. Here's how smoking can impact your vision.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) causes gradual deterioration of the macula, the central part of the retina. It can lead to central vision loss, making everyday tasks like reading and driving difficult. AMD typically begins as a dry form and can sometimes progress to a more severe wet form, where vision loss can occur rapidly without treatment. Smokers are at higher risk of developing AMD earlier in life than non-smokers.

The irritants in cigarette smoke also increase the risk of dry eye syndrome, a condition where your eyes either don't produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly.

Smoking raises the risk of cataracts, which cloud the eye's lens and cause blurry vision. The harmful chemicals in tobacco create oxidative stress and inflammation that contribute to cataract formation.

The optic nerve transmits visual signals from the eye to the brain. Smoking has been linked to optic nerve damage, which can lead to glaucoma. Increased intraocular pressure, oxidative stress, and reduced blood flow are potential mechanisms by which smoking contributes to optic nerve damage.

Smoking affects color perception, making it harder for smokers to distinguish colors, especially in the blue-yellow spectrum. Warning signs of eye problems include blurred or distorted vision, dry, burning, or itchy eyes, increased light sensitivity, and difficulty seeing in low light. Vision loss or the appearance of dark spots in your field of vision are also serious symptoms.

Exposure to secondhand smoke is also harmful to the eyes and contributes to various vision problems. Quitting smoking improves blood circulation, reduces the risk of blood vessel damage, and benefits overall eye health.

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