When thinking about the health impacts of smoke, whether through cigarette smoking or wood burning, the effect on your lungs and ability to breathe are normally the first to come to mind. However, exposure to smoke can lead to eye irritation and inflammation, perhaps leading to certain eye conditions in the long term. This guide will look at the different eye problems smoke inhalation can trigger as well as the impact of secondhand smoking.
Can smoke hurt your eyes?
Put simply, yes. Smoke is an eye irritant and can cause a breakdown in the tear film. There are three tear layers, the outer of which is affected by smoke, causing the inner watery layer to dry out.[1] While it may be well known that both tobacco and e-cigarette smoke can be harmful[2], a study from the University of Oxford and the Chinese Academy of Medical Science found that there was a correlation between cooking with wood or coal and major eye conditions.[3] You may also find the smoke from bonfires or fireworks on occasions such as Bonfire Night, New Year’s Eve and Diwali irritates your eyes.
Below are some of the conditions you could experience as a result of smoke exposure. If you are suffering from any of these, make sure to consult a healthcare professional.
- Dry eye syndrome
In smoky environments, tears evaporate more quickly, exacerbating or triggering dry eye syndrome[4] which can cause the eye to feel sore, itchy, blurry or gritty.[5] If you’re struggling with dry or irritated eyes as a result of smoky environments, you can try TheraTears® Dry or Tired Eye Drops, which contain hyaluronic acid to help lubricate dry eyes. Always read the product information before use.
- Cataracts
Smoking increases the number of free radicals in your eyes, which can lead to the development of cataracts.[6] If left untreated, cataracts can cause vision loss, causing blurring and clouding on your eye’s lens.
- Uveitis
The chemicals found in cigarette smoke can cause damage to the retina and iris.[6] This is known as uveitis as it leads the uvea (the middle layer of the eye wall) to become irritated or inflamed. As a result, you may experience a red eye or problems with your vision.[2]
- Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is when the protective membrane that lines the eyelid and conjunctiva (the outer surface of the eye) becomes inflamed. One of the causes of this can be exposure to smoke or chemical fumes.[7]
- Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
As cigarette smoke contains a lot of toxic chemicals, inhaling it can speed up the ageing process. It increases free radicals, reduces the effectiveness of antioxidants and reduces your levels of lutein, all of which can result in AMD.[8] This condition affects the centre of your vision.[9]
Can secondhand smoke cause eye problems?
If you’re a cigarette smoker, you’ll know that the majority of the smoke doesn’t go into your lungs. Instead, as you exhale, it goes into the air around you, meaning anyone nearby can breathe it in. They can also be exposed to the ‘sidestream’ smoke which is created by the lit end of your cigarette.[10] This is known as secondhand or passive smoking and can cause health problems for those around you.
Those who are consistently exposed to cigarette smoke may experience some eye irritation or dry eye in the short-term. However, in the long-term, it could put people more at risk of the eye conditions mentioned above. According to a study by the Chinese University of Hong Kong, children as young as six who are exposed to smoke are already showing signs of eye damage which could lead to more serious conditions such as AMD or cataracts later on in life. It is therefore important for children to grow up in a smoke-free environment to help protect their ocular and overall health.
If you are struggling with eye irritation as a result of exposure to cigarette or wood smoke, eye drops such as TheraTears® Irritation and Redness Eye Drops may be able to help relieve short-term irritation. These contain euphrasia, a natural plant extract which helps to support natural eye whitening in case of redness due to irritation.
For more information and support with quitting smoking, contact your GP or take a look at the NHS stop smoking services near you.
Resources:
[1] – https://dmei.org/blog/can-smoking-affect-your-eyes/
[2] – https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/smokers
[4] – https://newsroom.uw.edu/blog/if-smoke-gets-your-eye-heres-what-do
[5] – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dry-eyes/
[7] – https://nyulangone.org/conditions/conjunctivitis/diagnosis
[8] – https://www.macularsociety.org/support/daily-life/practical-guides/healthy-living/smoking/
[9] – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/age-related-macular-degeneration-amd/
[10] – https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/quit-smoking/passive-smoking-protect-your-family-and-friends/
[11] – https://www.aao.org/eye-health/news/secondhand-smoke-damages-children-eyes
