The Impact of Smoking on Eye and Ear Health – And Why It’s Never Too Late to Quit
Smoking is widely known to harm the lungs and heart, but its effects on eye and ear health are less commonly discussed. The truth is, smoking significantly increases the risk of sight loss and hearing impairment. The good news? Quitting smoking can slow or even reverse some of these risks, helping to preserve your vision and hearing for the future.
How Smoking Affects Eye Health
Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for serious eye conditions, including:
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) – According to the RNIB, smokers double their risk of developing AMD, a leading cause of vision loss in the UK. This condition affects central vision, making it difficult to read, recognise faces, or see fine details.
- Cataracts – Smokers are twice as likely to develop cataracts (ASH, 2023), the clouding of the eye’s natural lens that can lead to blurred vision and eventual blindness if left untreated.
- Dry Eye – Smoking contributes to dry, irritated eyes by reducing tear production and increasing oxidative stress on the delicate tissues of the eye.
- Diabetic Retinopathy – Smoking worsens diabetes-related eye disease by damaging blood vessels in the retina, increasing the risk of severe vision loss.
The Link Between Smoking and Hearing Loss
Your hearing is just as vulnerable to the effects of smoking as your eyesight. Studies show that smokers are up to 70% more likely to develop hearing loss than non-smokers. Here’s why:
- Restricted Blood Flow – Smoking reduces oxygen supply to the inner ear, damaging the hair cells responsible for detecting sound.
- Increased Risk of Ear Infections – Smokers are more prone to middle ear infections, which can contribute to long-term hearing damage.
- Worsened Tinnitus – If you already suffer from ringing or buzzing in the ears, smoking can make these symptoms worse by affecting circulation to the auditory system.
The Benefits of Quitting for Your Eyes and Ears
Stopping smoking can bring significant benefits to both your sight and hearing. Some improvements are almost immediate, while others build up over time:
- Reduced Risk of AMD and Cataracts – Your risk of developing AMD decreases the longer you remain smoke-free, and quitting slows the progression of cataracts.
- Better Tear Production – Eyes become less irritated, and dry eye symptoms improve as your body recovers.
- Healthier Blood Flow to the Ears – Quitting helps restore circulation, improving oxygen delivery to the inner ear and reducing the risk of hearing loss.
- Lower Risk of Tinnitus and Ear Infections – Improved circulation and reduced irritation make it easier to manage conditions like tinnitus and recurring ear infections.
It’s Never Too Late to Quit
No matter how long you’ve smoked, quitting can still make a difference. Even if you’ve already noticed changes in your vision or hearing, stopping smoking can help slow further damage and improve overall eye and ear health. The NHS Stop Smoking Service offers free support, including medications and local support groups, to help you on your journey to quitting.
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