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!