Still looking for a reason to quit smoking? Are you managing to convince yourself that you won’t be the one to suffer serious health problems as a result of your habit? Maybe some evidence of another health hazard will help you to find the willpower!

A recent survey to question smoker’s awareness of potential health issues showed that they are well aware of an increased risk of lung cancer and heart disease. However less than ten percent knew that they were risking their sight by smoking. If you smoke you double your risk of Age Related Macular Degeneration, and the average age of onset is five years younger than for non-smokers. The disease progresses at a faster rate in smokers, and their treatment will be less successful. Macular damage also leads to poor colour vision.

Age Related Macular Degeneration is the commonest cause of blindness in the developed world, and there are 600,000 sufferers in the UK. It causes loss of central vision, and fine detail.

A single cigarette contains 4000 chemicals that cause damage to the delicate internal and external structures of the eye. These toxins raise your risk of developing cataracts as they damage the lens inside the eye. They also interfere with tears and corneal health. If you suffer from dry eyes smoking can make the problem worse, or make the onset of dry eye syndrome more likely.

The delicate external tissues of the eye are extremely sensitive to the toxins in smoke. This will lead to sore, irritated, red eyes and excess tears. The risk of thyroid eye disease is increased by eight times in smokers, leading to uncomfortable, sore, painful eyes.

So is it worth lighting up that next cigarette? Will the risk of blindness be enough to make an early New Years Resolution? Smoke really does get in your eyes………