“Smokers
should become aware of the increased risk of cataracts that smoking creates,”
commented Gregory Hofeldt, M.D., an Ophthalmologist & CataractSurgeon in Fall River, Massachusetts at Center
for Sight. “Most patients I speak to are well aware of the vascular
risks of smoking and some are aware that they may be at increased risk of
glaucoma and age related macular degeneration as well. But, what may be news to
those who smoke is that they are also at increased risk of cataracts,”
explained Dr Hofeldt.
Patients
who are current smokers or who have any history of smoking are at increased
risk of getting a cataract according to researchers reporting in Investigative
Ophthalmology & Visual Science. The
researchers found that the overall current literature suggests that smoking was
associated with increased risk of age related cataract, especially nuclear cataract and to some extent posterior
sub capsular cataract. They further recommended that additional efforts should
be made to confirm these findings and clarify the underlying biological
mechanisms. A healthy lifestyle and diet are meaningful ways of
maintaining eye health and vision-whether lowering your risk of cataracts,
keeping the tiny blood vessels in the eye functioning properly or minimizing
the associated risks of glaucoma-it’s important to avoid smoking as a lifestyle
choice.
If you or someone you know feels they are at
risk for cataract development, has a question about cataracts, cataract
surgery or lens implants please feel free to schedule an eye exam by calling
Center for Sight at 508-730-2020, or visiting www.center-for-sight.com or www.facebook.com/centerforsightfallriver to schedule an appointment.
Center
for Sight is conveniently located for patients wishing to learn more about
LASIK in Massachusetts or Rhode Island from Attleboro, Fairhaven, Fall River,
Franklin, Mansfield, Marion, Mattapoisett, Medfield, Milford, New Bedford,
North Attleboro, North Dartmouth, Norton, Oxford, Rehobeth, Somerset, Swansea,
Taunton, Walpole, Whitinsville, Woonsocket, Providence, Smithfield, Westport,
Lakeville, Dighton, Little Compton and Tiverton.
