A new medical study has warned that people who quit smoking but switch to vaping or other non-combustible nicotine products are not completely free from the risk of serious eye diseases. According to the findings, these individuals remain at a higher risk than those who quit nicotine entirely.
The research was conducted by Korea University College of Medicine in South Korea and analyzed the national health insurance records of 32,316 former smokers. Participants were followed for an average of 4.6 years, and the findings were published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology.
Researchers divided participants into two groups. One group completely stopped using nicotine, while the other continued using alternative nicotine products such as e-cigarettes and vaping devices.
During the study period, 6,328 new cases of eye disease were recorded. Among those who quit nicotine completely, the incidence rate was 41.1 cases per 1,000 person-years. In comparison, those who continued using alternative nicotine products experienced 44 cases per 1,000 person-years.
The analysis showed that people who continued using alternative nicotine products had a 7% higher overall risk of developing eye diseases. The risk of diabetic retinopathy, an eye condition linked to diabetes, was 24% higher. Researchers also observed an increased likelihood of problems affecting the eye’s ability to focus.
While the study did not specifically conclude that vaping leads to complete blindness, experts noted that, in rare cases, severe eye complications could potentially contribute to significant vision loss.
The researchers concluded that switching from traditional cigarettes to vaping or other alternative nicotine products does not completely eliminate the risk of eye disease. They suggest that quitting nicotine altogether may offer the greatest long-term benefits for maintaining healthy vision and reducing eye-related health risks.