Does Cigarette Smoking Cause Macular Degeneration?
Posted 3/16/2004
Smoking and Eye Health Studied
A study from the Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, evaluated the effect of cigarette smoking on the presence of carotenoid pigments in the macula. The density of the pigment was determined indirectly by the ingenious method of comparing sensitivities of different areas of retina to various wavelengths of light. A total of 68 individuals participated in the study, including 34 smokers and 34 non-smokers. Subjects were matched with regard to age, gender, dietary patterns, and skin and hair coloration. The density of pigment in the retina was found to decrease as smoking frequency increased. In other words, non-smokers had the highest amount of macular pigment, and smokers had significantly less macular pigment.
Macular pigment, essential to clear vision, is believed to protect the retina by both its antioxidant capabilities and by screening harmful wavelengths of light. Scientists believe that without this protective mechanism, the risk of developing macular degeneration rises significantly. The study demonstrated that cigarette smoking leads to a reduction in macular pigment and suggests smoking ultimately increases the risk of developing macular degeneration.
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