Eye warning call for cigarettes

[Guest guest]

Smoking is linked to many conditions

Experts are calling for cigarette packets to carry a warning that

smoking can cause blindness.

The move comes as new evidence suggests smoking - and passive

smoking - can cause age-related macular degeneration - the UK's

leading cause of blindness.

 

The, as yet, unpublished European Eye Study of 5,000 AMD patients in

the EU found 27% had disease that was directly attributable to

smoking.

 

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists said urgent action was needed.

 

It is time that smokers understand that they at least double their

risk of going blind

 

Mr Nick Astbury

 

It called for the government to add a 'Smoking causes blindness'

warning to others currently carried on cigarette packets, which

include 'Smoking kills' and 'Smoking may cause impotence'.

 

The move is backed by the AMD Alliance and the Royal National

Institute for the Blind.

 

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects 500,000 people in the

UK.

 

It is marked by a progressive loss of central vision due to

degeneration of the macula - a region of the retina responsible for

fine, central vision.

 

Distressing condition

 

Mr Nick Astbury, president of the College said: " Blindness is one of

the most distressing health conditions possible - the prospect of

losing one's sight - and putting the sight of family members at risk -

purely because of a smoking habit, is a compelling reason for

tobacco users to quit.

 

 

The warning campaigners would like to see

 

" The scientific evidence for the link between smoking and blindness

is now similar to the evidence linking smoking and lung disease.

 

" It is time that smokers understand that they at least double their

risk of going blind through age-related macular degeneration. "

 

Tom Brembridge, of the Macular Disease Society, said other research

had suggested a link between smoking and AMD.

 

He said: " I am in favour of pointing out to people that their eyes

are made vulnerable by smoking. "

 

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists annual congress in Manchester

heard how sight loss was difficult for many to bear.

 

Dr Peter Elton, of Bury Primary Care Trust, revealed the results of a

survey of more than 4,000 residents of the town which found that

people with visual impairment were twice as likely to suffer from

depression than people with good eyesight.

 

The conference also heard that both ophthalmologists and optometrists

could could improve the advice they give to patients about giving up

smoking.

 

A Department of Health spokesperson said it was important to raise

awareness of the effect smoking could have on sight, but said

warnings on cigarettes packets were determined by the European

Commission.

[Guest guest]

Hi Jo

 

>Experts are calling for cigarette packets to carry a warning that>smoking can cause blindness.

 

Warning: Cigarettes are sharp, and should not be smoked through the eye! ;-)

 

BB

Peter