Stop Smoking- It Increases Risk Of Blindness
January 21st, 2010
UCLA researchers have found that even after the age of 80, smoking increases a person’s risk of developing AMD, age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness among those aged 65 and over, suggesting it is never too late to give up the habit.
The study led by Dr. Anne Coleman, professor of ophthalmology at UCLA, appears in the January issue of the American Journal of Ophthalmology.
AMD causes a darkening and/or blurring of central vision, and prevents you from being able to read, drive and recognize people you know. Smoking is the second most common risk factor for AMD, age is the first.
“This research provides the first accurate snapshot of how smoking affects AMD risk later in life,” says Coleman.
The study compared the retinal photographs of nearly 2,000 women taken at age 78 and 83, looked for signs of AMD and then did regression statistical tests to find out whether smoking affected the women’s risk of developing the disease.
Smokers had 11 per cent higher rates of AMD than the non-smokers of the same age. But among the over 80s, the smokers were 5.5 times more likely to develop AMD than the non-smokers.
“The magnitude of the effect of smoking on the risk of AMD reinforces recommendations to quit smoking even for older individuals,” says Coleman. “It’s never too late to quit smoking. Even older people’s eyes benefit from kicking the habit.”
Smoking may increase AMD risk by reducing levels of antioxidants in the blood, changing the blood flow to the eyes and reducing the amount of pigmentation in the retina.
Acupuncture can help those attempting to quit smoking. One of the most common addiction-related uses for acupuncture is smoking cessation. This strong addiction can be overcome with the aid of acupuncture treatment.
Acupuncture can aid in helping you to quit smoking by:
· Reducing the symptoms of withdrawal including the jitters, irritability and restlessness that people commonly experience.
· Stimulating natural endorphin release, which reduces nicotine cravings.
· Detoxifying the body of nicotine.
· Producing a calming effect which stabilizes mood.
For information about acupuncture for smoking cessation call Dr. Richard Browne, Acupuncture Physician, at (305) 595-9500
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