Effects of Smoking – Did you Know that you CAN go Blind from Smoking?

Believe it or not one of the effects of smoking is damage to the eyes.   When you smoke, all the chemicals in the cigarette, over 3,000, go directly into the bloodstream.   These chemicals cause damage throughout the body including the eyes. These chemicals cause inflammation of the conjunctiva (the thin membrane covering the eye), which results in blood shot and irritated eyes. Smoking has been linked to many diseases of the eyes, such as aged-related macular degeneration.   All the causes of macular degeneration are not completely understood, but smoking is believed to be the main preventable risk factor.   Evidence shows that more than a quarter of all cases are linked to current or past exposure to smoking. It has also been linked to glaucoma.   Smoking causes shrinkage or constriction of blood vessels, which can cause rising inner eye pressure (inner ocular pressure), which leads to glaucoma and optic nerve damage. This damage to the eyes occurs when cigarette smoke is inhaled.   The chemicals get into the bloodstream and travels throughout the body causing damage to the macula, the most sensitive part of the retina at the back of the eye.   Tiny blood vessels can burst through the macula, which leads to irreversible damage and the cells of the macula slowly die, ultimately leading to the loss of your vision. Once this damage has occurred, there is no way to reverse it.   So, avoid the chance of eye damage and all the other devastating effects of smoking by not smoking at all.   Quit NOW!! KimberlyAnn   I have never smoked nor do I ever intend to smoke.   However, I have been exposed to the effects of smoking most of my life.   I lost my mother recently to cigarettes.   She was my best friend.   I miss her every day.   If you don’t want to leave someone missing you, then visit http://www.squidoo.com/effect-of-smoking and learn how to quit smoking and stay around to watch your loved ones grow up.

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