Why does smoking cause macular degeneration?

Answer 1

Smoking is the single most controllable risk factor that contributes to the development of macular degeneration.

Every cigarette you smoke is causing damage to your vision. Macular degeneration and smoking have many health implications for the eyes.

√ Smoking causes vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels) which affects the blood supply to the eye and increases your blood pressure which is also a risk factor for macular degeneration.

√ Smoking enhances the generation of free radicals which causes cellular damage.

√ Smoking decreases the levels of antioxidants (which protect against free radical damage) in the blood circulation, the aqueous humor (the clear liquid between the cornea and the lens) and the tissue surrounding the eye and retina.

√ Smoking causes a reduction in macular pigment densityin the fovea (center of the macula). Macular pigment protects the macula from UV and blue light damage.

√ Smoking reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood so that there is less oxygen being fed to the macula.

√ The tar in cigarettes triggers the formation of deposits and thickening in the retina that cause age-related macular degeneration, according to Duke University Medical Center researchers.

Answer 2

Because tobacco smoking decreases blood microcirculation and this by the other side increases macular degeneration. Quitting tabagism and getting vitamin A can help this situation.