07/09/05 - Smoke gets in your eyes!

Smokers are twice as likely as non-smokers to lose their sight in later life according to definitive new research published today on smoking and eye health.

A report published for RNIB's Eye Test Action Day today, reveals the link between smoking and age-related macular degeneration is now as strong as the link between smoking and lung cancer. But few are aware of the link or even of AMD, the UK’s leading cause of sight loss.

John Legg of RNIB Scotland warned: "Smoking is the only proven cause of AMD that people can do anything about yet people are not aware of the link and most people have not even heard of the condition. The message is simple: do not take up smoking and if you do - stop.

"RNIB Scotland is calling on the Government to introduce specific warnings on cigarette packets and to fund a major public awareness campaign on the dangers of smoking to your eyesight.

"The situation is serious across the UK but particularly so in Scotland where smoking rates are higher. In Glasgow the rate exceeds 35%. In Social Inclusion Partnership Areas it rises above 50%."

Maureen Moore of anti-tobacco campaigners ASH Scotland said: "There is hardly a part of the human body left that hasn't been shown to be at risk from the effects of tobacco.  I hope that this research makes smokers take a closer look at the risks they are taking with their health, and that they choose to try and quit."