Only fifth of smokers realise that smoking can cause blindness

Millions of smokers in the UK are putting themselves at increased risk of blindness or sight impairment by continuing with the habit, according to a poll for the Association of Optometrists (AOP) Smokers are twice as likely to lose their vision compared to a non-smoker, yet the link between smoking and sight-threatening conditions is not always recognised. In fact, only a fifth of smokers realises that smoking can cause blindness or sight impairment. All (96%) optometrists surveyed in the poll said that they examine a patient every month who has an eye disease that they believe is the result of smoking.  Despite