The great American smoke occurs on the third Thursday of November, This year 11/18/ 2021. Let this be the first day to start your journey to a smoke-free life.

As we know smoking does harm to the human body. Smoking is the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the US. Smoking is a contributing cause of cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. Smoking increases the risk of tuberculosis and auto-immune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.

Did you know smoking harms the eyes and vision? Smoking causes your retinal blood vessels to constrict. People who smoke have lower levels of macular pigments Lutein and Zeaxanthin – these protect the macula from UV radiation. Smoking increases the number of free radicals in your eyes. Free radicals are responsible for damaging the lipids and proteins in the eyes.

Second-hand smoke has been shown to be just as harmful as actually smoking to the eyes. If you smoke, you can develop serious eye conditions:

1. Macular degeneration
2. Cataracts
3. Uveitis
4. Glaucoma
5. Dry eye
6. Retinal detachment
7. Smoking while pregnant increases the risk of infant eye disorders.

It is never too late to quit. Quitting improves health at once and long-term. Within minutes of not smoking the body starts to heal itself. Very soon you will notice:

• Your heart rate and blood pressure drop
• Food tastes better
• Your sense of smell starts to return
• Your breath, hair, and clothes smell better
• Your teeth and fingernails stop yellowing
• Ordinary activities like climbing stairs leave you less out of breath
• And of course, you will save money you would have spent on smoking.

#eyegotcha

#PittsburghEyeCare

#PittsburghOptometrist

#GreatAmericanSmokeout

 

Sources:

www.allaboutvision.com

www.cancer.org

www.cdc.gov

www.optometrists.org