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Cigarette smoking as a risk factor for cataract and age-related macular degeneration: a review of the literature.
deblack@conwaycorp.net
BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking has long been acknowledged as a major risk factor for many of the leading causes of death. Its role in ocular disease has received far less attention. METHODS: This article reviews a large number of recent studies that have investigated a possible link between cigarette smoking and two major causes of blindness--cataract and age-related macular degeneration. RESULTS: The preponderance of evidence shows a causal relationship between cigarette smoking and both cataract and age-related macular degeneration. CONCLUSIONS: As primary eye care providers, optometrists should educate patients regarding the dangers of smoking as it relates to ocular health and consider a role in discouraging patients from starting or continuing this harmful habit.
PMID: 12585737 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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Cited by 1 PubMed Central article
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Dissection of genomewide-scan data in extended families reveals a major locus and oligogenic susceptibility for age-related macular degeneration.
Iyengar SK, Song D, Klein BE, Klein R, Schick JH, Humphrey J, Millard C, Liptak R, Russo K, Jun G, et al.
Am J Hum Genet. 2004 Jan; 74(1):20-39. Epub 2003 Dec 19.
[Am J Hum Genet. 2004]