LAHORE – People who switch to vaping or other non-combustible nicotine products after quitting cigarettes may remain at a higher risk of developing serious eye diseases compared to those who stop using nicotine altogether, according to a new study.
The research, conducted by Korea University College of Medicine in South Korea, examined national health insurance records of 32,316 former smokers who were tracked for an average of 4.6 years. The findings were published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology.
Researchers divided participants into two groups: individuals who quit nicotine entirely and those who continued using alternative nicotine products, including e-cigarettes.
During the study period, 6,328 new cases of eye disease were recorded. The incidence rate stood at 41.1 cases per 1,000 person-years among participants who completely stopped nicotine use, compared with 44 cases per 1,000 person-years among those who used nicotine alternatives.
After adjusting for various factors, researchers found that users of alternative nicotine products faced a 7pc higher overall risk of developing eye diseases.
The strongest association was observed for diabetic retinopathy, a diabetes-related condition that can damage the retina and impair vision. Individuals using nicotine alternatives were found to have a 24pc higher risk of developing the disease.
The study also identified an increased risk of disorders affecting the eye’s ability to focus among users of alternative nicotine products.
Researchers noted that while switching from cigarettes to vaping may reduce exposure to some harmful substances found in tobacco smoke, it does not appear to eliminate the risk of eye disease.
They concluded that completely discontinuing nicotine use may offer greater long-term protection for eye health.
