Adolescents and young people who smoke regular and electronic cigarettes at the same time have more frequent and severe eye symptoms. To maintain eye health, young people are advised to stop smoking or reduce the number of cigarettes to a minimum.
Researchers at McGill and Stanford Universities studied the incidence and severity of eye symptoms in young traditional and e-cigarette users. Research results published in JAMA Ophthalmology.
In 1.1-3.9% of people who at least occasionally used both types of cigarettes, eye symptoms appeared more often and were more pronounced. In this group, the proportion of smokers with daily ocular symptoms exceeded that of e-cigarette users or conventional cigarette users alone.
People who smoked both types of cigarettes in the last week were 2.37 times more likely to have severe itching and 2.58 times more likely to have severe redness of the eyes. The risk of severe dryness increased by 2.89 times, the appearance of glare – by 2.56 times, blurring of the image – by 2.47 times, and severe headache – by 2.32 times. At the same time, the frequency of pain syndrome increased by 3.45 times, burning – by 3 times, and redness of the eyes – by 2.72 times in comparison with all other participants.
Among participants who smoked both types of cigarettes in the last 30 days, there was more dryness and pain in the eyes. Among participants who at least occasionally used both types of cigarettes, there was more pronounced dryness and blurring of the image, as well as an increase in the frequency of pain in the eyes, compared with non-smokers.
The study involved 4351 people aged 13-24 years. Participants reported the frequency of use of electronic and conventional cigarettes. The frequency and severity of eye symptoms were assessed, including eye discomfort, pain, burning, itching, redness, dryness, glare, blurring, feelings of tension, and headaches.
Slightly less than half of the participants were non-smokers. 2183 people ever smoked. Of these, 1,092 participants smoked in the last 30 days and 919 in the last seven days. About 60% of smokers used both types of cigarettes.
The researchers urge users of both types of cigarettes to cut back on tobacco use, which will help prevent or reduce eye symptoms.
2023-09-01 13:33:28
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