VIEWS FOR 20/20 by Dr. Mark Skowron and Dr. Michelle Skowron SMOKING, EYESIGHT, AND VISION LOSS Cigarette smoking can affect your eyes' retina, lens, macula, and optic nerve, all of which are essential for clear, healthy vision. Smoking increases your risk of two common, yet serious, age-related eye diseases: macular degeneration and cataracts. Many people experience few to no symptoms during the earlier stages of these eye diseases, but over time they can affect vision and lead to blindness. Symptoms of smoking-related eye diseases include blurry vision, the inability to see details like facial expressions, light sensitivity, poor night vision, and an increased need for light to read or do close tasks. Although more research is needed, smoking is suspected of contributing to other eye diseases like glaucoma, thyroid eye disease, and diabetic retinopathy. If you experience a change in your vision, it is important to see your eye care professional immediately to prevent additional or unwarranted damage to your eyes and vision. Routine eye exams are an important aspect of maintaining one's overall health. SKOWRON EYE CARE has been providing personal, cutting-edge eye care for patients in Elmhurst and surrounding areas since 1983. To schedule an eye exam, please call our office today. At Skowron Eye Care, our mission is your vision. P.S. People who smoke cigarettes are two to three times more likely to develop cataracts and up to four times more likely to develop macular degeneration. SKOWRON EYE CARE 370 N. York, Elmhurst, IL 60126 630-834-6244 www.skowroneyecare.com VIEWS FOR 20/20 by Dr. Mark Skowron and Dr. Michelle Skowron SMOKING , EYESIGHT , AND VISION LOSS Cigarette smoking can affect your eyes ' retina , lens , macula , and optic nerve , all of which are essential for clear , healthy vision . Smoking increases your risk of two common , yet serious , age - related eye diseases : macular degeneration and cataracts . Many people experience few to no symptoms during the earlier stages of these eye diseases , but over time they can affect vision and lead to blindness . Symptoms of smoking - related eye diseases include blurry vision , the inability to see details like facial expressions , light sensitivity , poor night vision , and an increased need for light to read or do close tasks . Although more research is needed , smoking is suspected of contributing to other eye diseases like glaucoma , thyroid eye disease , and diabetic retinopathy . If you experience a change in your vision , it is important to see your eye care professional immediately to prevent additional or unwarranted damage to your eyes and vision . Routine eye exams are an important aspect of maintaining one's overall health . SKOWRON EYE CARE has been providing personal , cutting - edge eye care for patients in Elmhurst and surrounding areas since 1983. To schedule an eye exam , please call our office today . At Skowron Eye Care , our mission is your vision . P.S. People who smoke cigarettes are two to three times more likely to develop cataracts and up to four times more likely to develop macular degeneration . SKOWRON EYE CARE 370 N. York , Elmhurst , IL 60126 630-834-6244 www.skowroneyecare.com