Birmingham Alabama Cataract
Surgeon Marc Michelson, M.D. reviewed findings that patients who are
current smokers or who have any history of smoking are at increased risk of getting a cataract. “According to
researchers reporting in Investigative
Ophthalmology & Visual Science the current literature suggests that smoking
was associated with increased risk of age related cataract, especially
nuclear cataract and to some extent posterior subcapsular cataract,” explained
Dr. Michelson of Alabama Eye & Cataract Center. “While we need further
studies and confirmation of the biological mechanism of why this occurs
patients who are smokers should consider quitting and those who are not should
avoid smoking. A healthy lifestyle and diet are meaningful ways of
maintaining eye health and vision-whether lowering your risk of cataracts,
keeping the tiny blood vessels in the eye functioning properly or minimizing
the associated risks of glaucoma-it’s important to avoid smoking as a lifestyle
choice,” stressed Dr. Michelson.
Dr. Michelson further explained, “Most
patients I speak to today are well aware of the vascular risks of smoking. We
know that smokers are also at increased risk of glaucoma and age related
macular degeneration. What may be news is that smoking increases your risk of
cataracts.”
If
you or someone you know feels they are at risk for cataract development, has a
question about cataracts, cataract surgery or lens implants please feel
free to schedule an eye exam by calling
Alabama Eye & Cataract Center
in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visiting Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or
facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.
Michelson Laser Vision are leading Birmingham eye care practices with offices at 327 Summit Boulevard, Birmingham, Alabama 35243, and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, 1201 11th Avenue S., Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205.
