Smokers FOUR times more likely to develop AMD

According to the results of a new study, smokers are four times more likely to develop age-related macular degeneration than non-smokers. Prior studies have tried to establish a link between smoking and age-related macular degeneration but have had mixed results. The study, which was conducted by Japanese researchers, was published in the Ophthalmology journal, involved 279 men and women with age-related macular degeneration and 143 people without it. Researchers discovered that 75% of the study participants who had age-related macular degeneration were smokers compared to 40% in the comparison group. In addition to facing an increased risk of age-related macular degeneration, the smokers had an almost a fivefold increase of developing polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, which causes bleeding in the retina. Smokers who are worried about developing age-related macular degeneration can greatly reduce their risk by quitting the habit. In addition, adding a vision nutrition supplement especially formulated for smokers or those with a recent history of smoking can also lessen the risk.* Elise Ervin Staff Writer