Smokers 4 Times As Likely to Develop AMD [05/06-4]

Excerpts from: Smoking Raises Risk of Age-Related Blindness: BMJ

Tehran Times [05/06/04]

Smokers are up to four times more likely than non-smokers to develop a disease that is the leading cause of adult blindness, public health experts said in the British Medical Journal on Friday.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an irreversible and progressive illness that robs people of their sight. Although its causes are unknown, evidence from three large studies shows smokers have a higher risk of suffering from it.

In Britain an estimated one in five cases of AMD are attributable to smoking. AMD caused by smoking has impaired the sight of about 54,000 people and blinded nearly 18,000.

"This is yet another large public health problem caused by smoking. It is another reason for smokers to think about quitting," said Edwards, adding that the evidence should be used in smoking education material.

He said he suspected that the vast majority of smokers were unaware of the link between their habit and the illness.

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