Cataracts And Smoking

Quitting smoking is vitally important for our health and well being

. Thats hardly news these days as public education into the increased health risks associated with smoking is well advanced. But whilst most of us are aware of the links between smoking and conditions such as heart disease, stroke, cancer and various lung diseases, not that many of us are familiar with the fact that smoking is associated with an increased risk of developing cataracts.

Whilst increasing age is undoubtedly the main risk factor when it comes to cataracts - which is why the most common form are known as senile cataracts - the impact of smoking cannot be dismissed. Experts believe that cigarette smoking may in fact be responsible for up to 20 per cent of all cataracts. Research has shown that men who smoke more than a pack a day increase their risk for cataracts by a staggering 205 per cent! For female smokers, the risk of developing cataracts increases by a still very significant 63 per cent.

And whilst some of the risk factors for cataracts are things that you cannot either do anything about or would find hard to change such as getting older or being diabetic, maintaining a smoking habit is one of the most easily eliminated cataract risk factors.

Studies indicate that smoking is responsible for a two-pronged attack on the eyes that can lead to the development of cataracts in two ways. First of all, tobacco smoke contains harmful free radicals that directly assault the eye, potentially damaging lens proteins and the fiber cell membrane in the lens. Secondly, smoking reduces the body's levels of antioxidants and certain enzymes which may help to remove damaged proteins from the lens. With lower levels of these protective chemicals, damage to the lens proteins accumulates which manifests itself in the form of cataracts.

Unfortunately, while quitting smoking immediately may halt or even reverse some of the damage smoking can do to your body, you are still at substantially greater risk of cataract development than those who never smoked, even 20 years after kicking the habit.

Help though is at hand in the form of Cataracts Drops. With its powerful anti-oxidant formula using carnosine eye drops in the form of N-acetylcarnosine, Can-C Eyedrops boost anti-oxidant levels in the eyes which, combined with quitting smoking, can help to reduce your risk of cataract development or gently but effectively treat already formed cataracts.

by: Jacob Lee

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