Your Vision and Eye Health is Part of Your Overall Wellness

Even though you need to go to a specialist doctor for eye care, it does not mean that eye health and vision are unrelated to the health of the rest of your body. Any eye doctor will concur that eye health can deteriorate along with the rest of the body under the influence of harmful substances. At Dr. Coward & Associates we want to help you improve your eye health and whole body wellness by arming you with as much information as possible. This is why you should know that smoking can harm your eyes, just like it can harm your lungs and other organs.

How Can Smoking Damage Your Vision and Eye Health?

Smoking damages the body on a cellular level, so obviously, this includes the eyes. Beyond the radical damage, there are additional symptoms and damage you should be aware of.

First, smoking can cause discomfort from dry eye. If you have been diagnosed with dry eye syndrome, smoking can make your symptoms worse and actually cause a flare-up.

People who smoke have an increased risk of developing cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, uveitis, Graves diseases, and other optic nerve problems.

The risk and damage does not stop there. Did you know that smoking can actually harm your unborn baby’s eyes? Infants whose mothers smoked while they were in the womb are five times more likely to get bacterial meningitis, which can lead to eye infections.

Smoking has far-reaching effects on the body, and the eyes are not immune. If you feel you need help to stop smoking, contact the American Cancer Society. If you believe you may have already affected your eye health by smoking contact one of our optometrists today.

Contact Us to Schedule an Appointment for an Eye Exam

If you are in need of an eye exam, show any troubling vision symptoms, or would like to know more about smoking and your eye health, contact Dr. Coward & Associates. We serve Belleville and the surrounding areas with quality optometry services. Call us at any of our three locations: Belleville (613)968-6560, Trenton (613)392-6211, and Brighton (613)475-3900.