Smoking could lead to permanent loss of your 20 20 vision.

Lutein, an antioxidant, plays a major role in protecting the retina from ultraviolet rays. Tobacco hampers the absorption of lutein. Quitting Smoking not only saves our eyes but also avoids the risk of several other eye related diseases.

Smoking accelerates the development of cataracts. The presence of the free radicals in the body that build up over time from cigarette smoking may lead to formation of cataracts.

The vision can be affected by cataracts, but restoration of vision by removal of the cataract and implantation of an artificial lens is one of the most common surgeries performed today. However, when it comes to going blind and losing our 20 20 vision forever, the real dangers of cigarette smoking is macular degeneration.

People who have advanced ARMD in one eye are at especially high risk of developing advanced ARMD in the other eye. The greatest risk factor is age. Other risk factors include: Smoking, Obesity and Race.

· The risk of macular degeneration is two to three times higher in smokers than in people who have never smoked.

· Quitting smoking has a protective effect but does not eliminate the risk of ARMD altogether.

· Smoking causes vision loss very quickly.

· Smoking increases the risk of cataract.

The macula is located in the center of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. The retina instantly converts light, or an image, into electrical impulses. The retina then sends these impulses, or nerve signals, to the brain. The health of the macula is essential for accurate vision.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease associated with aging that gradually destroys sharp, central vision. Central vision is needed for seeing objects clearly and for common daily tasks such as reading and driving.

Dry AMD occurs when the light-sensitive cells in the macula slowly break down, gradually blurring central vision in the affected eye. The most common symptom of dry AMD is slightly blurred vision. One may have difficulty in recognizing faces. One may need more light for reading and performing other tasks. Dry AMD generally affects both eyes, but vision can be lost in one eye while the other eye seems unaffected.

Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels start to grow. These abnormal blood vessels leak blood and fluid in the back of the eye which is why the disease is termed as Wet Macular Degeneration. This distorts the scars macula, which harms, blurs and eventually destroys central vision.

Treatment

How is dry AMD treated?

Once dry AMD reaches the advanced stage, no form of treatment can prevent vision loss. However, treatment can delay and possibly prevent intermediate AMD from progressing to the advanced stage, in which vision loss occurs. Preferential Hyper Acuity perimeter is a non invasive, quick and easy to use perimeter that can detect early wet AMD before symptoms are noticeable to patients.

How is wet AMD treated?

Wet AMD can be treated with laser surgery, photodynamic therapy, and injections into the eye. None of these treatments is a cure for wet AMD. The disease and loss of vision may progress despite treatment.

1.      Photodynamic therapy. A drug called verteporfin is injected into your arm. It travels throughout the body, including the new blood vessels in your eye.
Photodynamic therapy is relatively painless. It takes about 20 minutes and can be performed in a doctor's office.
Treatment results often are temporary. You may need to be treated again.

2.      Injections. Wet AMD can now be treated with new drugs that are injected into the eye (anti-VEGF therapy). You will need multiple injections that may be given as often as monthly. 

Aditya Jyot Eye Hospital is in the forefront in the treatment of wet age related macular degeneration with photodynamic therapy and modern anti VEGF drugs. Currently these comprise the most advanced treatment available in the world for this condition.

-          Prof. Dr. S. Natarajan