There is good evidence that smoking causes sight loss. Tobacco smoke has up to 4,000 active compounds. Most of these are toxic and could damage the eyes.
Smokers are up to four times more likely than non-smokers to develop age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is the leading cause of sight loss in the UK. Macular degeneration is when the macula, which is part of the retina at the back of your eye, becomes damaged. This affects your ability to see detail, such as recognising faces or reading or watching television.
Smokers are also more likely than non-smokers to develop cataracts. Cataracts are formed when the lens inside your eye goes cloudy. They don’t always affect your vision in the early stages, but tend to get worse as you get older. If a cataract is affecting your vision, you will need an operation to remove it.
The single best thing that you can do for your eyes and to improve your current and future health is to stop smoking. If you want to quit, you don’t have to do it alone. In some areas, optometrists work with the NHS to provide services to help you give up smoking. Ask your optometrist if they can help you in this way or if they can point you to someone who can. To find out more information about support for stopping smoking you can go to the Live Well section in NHS.uk website.
Last reviewed: February 2026
