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Quitting Smoking May Lower your Risk of Developing Cataracts
What is cataract? To answer that let us start by looking at the eye. It is the clouding of the eye lens. The lens should be clear to focus light on the retina. If the lens has become cloudy with cataract the image will appear blurry. Most people say that cataract is like looking through dirty car windshield. According to a new study from Sweden smoking raises the risk of developing cataracts. However, quitting might turn it around with time. Researchers have found that there was a gradual drop in cataract risk among former smokers. This common medical condition in which the eye lens becomes cloudy is the main cause of impaired vision.
Smoking may decrease the risk but it may prevail for decades even after quitting. Adopt strategies to prevent smoking right away so that you are benefitted in the long run. Consult your eye care professionals who can help you to encourage people to stop smoking. The researchers found that more than two decades after quitting men who used to smoke 15 cigarettes every day had only a 21% risk for having a cataract than those who never smoked a single cigarette in their entire life.
Anti-smoking campaigns in many countries feature vision risks which have been quite successful. Ophthalmologists always counsel patients so that they can quit this habit and do something better for their eyes. In the year 1997, men aged from 45-79 were studied for 12 years and after its results came it they found that quitting would definitely benefit over time. However, the studies were relied on self reports and their smoking habits that may not be accurate.
It is never too late to stop smoking but it is interesting to know that it takes a longer time for the lens to recover that has high smoking intensity. It would be best if you can encourage people all around the world never start to smoke. Ask your doctor for assistance to stop smoking. Counseling, medications and other strategies are available to assist you. It has been noted that roughly half of everyone who is living till the age of 80 will get cataract in one or both eyes. Diabetics can develop cataracts very easily. Sometimes you will see babies are also born with. Cataracts can also develop after radiation exposure.
Hence, it is important that you follow your treatment plan if you have diabetes or even any other medical conditions that may increase your risk of cataracts. With healthy diet and lifestyle habits you are sure to stay away from cataracts. Although the causes are not completely understood but most researchers believe that smoking can be prevented which in turn can reduce the risk of cataracts. The chemicals present in cigarettes travel through your bloodstream and slowly it affects your retina. By not smoking you will reduce your chances and risk of getting cataracts. So, go ahead and start this habit from today!
Smoking may decrease the risk but it may prevail for decades even after quitting. Adopt strategies to prevent smoking right away so that you are benefitted in the long run. Consult your eye care professionals who can help you to encourage people to stop smoking. The researchers found that more than two decades after quitting men who used to smoke 15 cigarettes every day had only a 21% risk for having a cataract than those who never smoked a single cigarette in their entire life.
Anti-smoking campaigns in many countries feature vision risks which have been quite successful. Ophthalmologists always counsel patients so that they can quit this habit and do something better for their eyes. In the year 1997, men aged from 45-79 were studied for 12 years and after its results came it they found that quitting would definitely benefit over time. However, the studies were relied on self reports and their smoking habits that may not be accurate.
It is never too late to stop smoking but it is interesting to know that it takes a longer time for the lens to recover that has high smoking intensity. It would be best if you can encourage people all around the world never start to smoke. Ask your doctor for assistance to stop smoking. Counseling, medications and other strategies are available to assist you. It has been noted that roughly half of everyone who is living till the age of 80 will get cataract in one or both eyes. Diabetics can develop cataracts very easily. Sometimes you will see babies are also born with. Cataracts can also develop after radiation exposure.
Hence, it is important that you follow your treatment plan if you have diabetes or even any other medical conditions that may increase your risk of cataracts. With healthy diet and lifestyle habits you are sure to stay away from cataracts. Although the causes are not completely understood but most researchers believe that smoking can be prevented which in turn can reduce the risk of cataracts. The chemicals present in cigarettes travel through your bloodstream and slowly it affects your retina. By not smoking you will reduce your chances and risk of getting cataracts. So, go ahead and start this habit from today!
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