Article Abstract:
Smokers who quit can lower their risk of developing cataract, according to a study of 20,907 men. Men who quit had a risk of cataract almost as low as men who never smoked at all.
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Article Abstract:
Men who smoke more than 20 cigarettes daily have over twice the risk of cataracts than those who have never smoked. A study of 557 cataracts among 371 patients ages 40 to 84 showed significantly greater risk of nuclear sclerotic and posterior subcapsular cataracts among current smokers. Past smokers had greater risk of posterior subcapsular cataract but not nuclear sclerotic cataract. Posterior subcapsular cataracts are particularly disabling and occur more frequently than other types. A study of female nurses showed similar results. Although the mechanism is not clear, cigarette smoking may act indirectly by altering plasma concentrations of nutrients which are important to maintain lens transparency. Antioxidents may also contribute to cataract formation.
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Article Abstract:
Cigarette smoking appears to increase the risk of age-related macular degeneration. Degeneration of the macula, which is the central part of the retina, is a major cause of blindness in the elderly. Data from 21,157 men participating in the Physicians' Health Study reveal that men who smoked 20 or more cigarettes per day had more than twice the risk of developing macular degeneration. Those who had quit had a 40% to 80% risk of developing macular degeneration regardless of when they had quit. Those who smoked less than a pack a day had very little risk of macular degeneration.
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