Risk of macular degeneration doubled if you live with a smoker

Non-smokers who live with a smoker double their risk of developing age-related macular degeneration according to a new study conducted by researchers at the University of Cambridge. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness among those over the age of 60 and affects the central vision, which is necessary for such skills as reading and driving. 435 people with macular degeneration participated in the study along with their 280 partners. The smokers who smoked a pack a day for 40 years tripled their risk of macular degeneration compared to their non-smoking partners who still had double the risk of developing the disease. However, for smokers who quit smoking for 20 years or more, the risk was diminished for both them and the non-smokers. So smokers should be aware that their second-hand smoke does have an impact on the health of their loved ones.*