11/18/2025
Did you know that smoking doesn’t just affect your lungs and heart, but also your eyes? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smokers are 2 to 3 times more likely to develop cataracts and about 2 times more likely to develop age-related macular degeneration (AMD) than non-smokers.
At Cabarrus Eye Center, we treat a range of eye conditions and know how chronic diseases, plus lifestyle habits like smoking, can accelerate damage. Here’s how smoking can impact your eyes:
🚭 Toxins in cigarette smoke damage the retina, lens, and macula — key parts of the eye needed for clear vision.
🚭 Smoking increases the risk of AMD and cataracts and can worsen diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.
🚭 Smoking also contributes to chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes, which themselves carry risks for vision and eye health.
If you’re thinking of your next eye exam or want to protect your sight, consider this: quitting smoking is one of the most effective steps you can take. Mark the date, Nov 20, and begin the conversation. Sources: CDC and FDA.