Smoking has been associated with a number of common and severe ocular diseases, such as cataract, macular degeneration, ocular inflammation and others, due to oxidative stress.
The WHO has estimated that smoking is one of the leading causes of visual impairment world wide, responsible for more tan 50% of world blindness.
Surgery is the only effective treatment available at present.
Preventing cataract has therefore a substantial and public health effect, with smoking as a major modifiable risk.
Smoking cessation seems to reduce the risk of cataract surgery, although the risk persists for decades.
These findings emphasize the importance of smoking cessation and of eye regular check-ups by a specialist.
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