You don’t have to be a smoker to be exposed to health risks, including those related to the eyes! Did you know that it is possible to lose your sight because of a colleague or partner for whom smoking is a common daily practice?
Passive smoking is a mixture of smoke from the burning end of a cigarette and the smoke exhaled by smokers. Secondhand smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, hundreds of which are toxic and about 70 of which can cause cancer. It is true that nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke inhale many of the same carcinogens and toxins as regular smokers. And be careful, even brief exposure to secondhand smoke can damage cells in the body in a way that triggers the cancer process . Not only that.
Blurred Vision, Nearsightedness And More
Secondhand smoke increases eye diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration and cataracts, which can lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated. At least that is what the World Health Organization states, according to which these conditions usually develop in smokers up to 5.5 years earlier than in non-smokers. In short, cigarette smoking can damage parts of the eye that are important for maintaining clarity and vision, such as the retina, lens, and macula. Worldwide, more than 2 billion people suffer from visual impairment and approximately half of these cases are preventable, according to the World Health Organization.
How do You Protect Your Eyes?
If you smoke, try to light the last cigarette. Non-smokers, stay away from smokers. If your partner is a person who cannot do without cigarettes, then certainly do not allow him to smoke in the apartment, but rather prefer the balcony or balcony. If your job requires you to spend a lot of time in front of a screen, follow the 20-20-20 rule (after every twenty minutes of close work, look at least 20 seconds into the distance (6 meters). Your eyelids relax.(Take breaks.) Regular break from other activities like reading as well).
Next, apply liquid tears to the eyes. These hydrate the surface of the eye and enrich and stabilize the lipid layer . Don’t forget to get regular eye exams so eye diseases can be caught early, which in turn can prevent vision loss. Always wear eye protection when using tools and chemicals. In case of accidents, the World Health Organization recommends that the eyes be immediately rinsed with clean water and examined by an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.
