Smoking and Vaping Have Been Associated with Eye Issues Among Young Individuals

A recent study has established a connection between cigarette and e-cigarette use in adolescents and young adults, and the frequency and seriousness of eye-related issues reported by this group. The researchers suggest that healthcare professionals should utilize these findings to inform smokers and vapers about the potential risks to their eye health.

Although the health dangers linked to smoking conventional cigarettes are extensively documented, the risks associated with electronic or e-cigarettes, commonly referred to as vaping, are currently under examination, particularly concerning young individuals.

The Rise of E-Cigarettes Among Youth and Health Implications

Starting in 2014, e-cigarettes have become the most prevalent tobacco product among young people in the United States. Vaping has already been associated with heightened blood pressure, elevated heart rate, increased lung air resistance, and immune system responses. Individuals may opt for either traditional cigarettes or e-cigarettes, and some use both.

Researchers at Canada’s McGill University opted to investigate a relatively unexplored aspect: the frequency and seriousness of eye-related symptoms reported by adolescent and young adult users of cigarettes and e-cigarettes.

Participant Selection and Data Collection Methods in the Study

They enlisted 4,351 individuals aged between 13 and 24 in the United States. These participants were sorted based on their usage of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or both. They were queried about their history of trying either e-cigarettes or cigarettes, even if it was just a single puff (referred to as ‘ever users’). Among the ever users, they were further asked if they had used these products in the past 30 days (‘past 30-day users’). Past 30-day users were subsequently asked if they had used these products in the past seven days (‘past seven-day users’). Similar inquiries were made regarding their use of other combustibles, including blunts, cigars/cigarillos, and smoked cannabis.

Eye Health Evaluation and Symptom Assessment in Study Participants

The participants were also requested to rate their eyesight and assess the frequency and severity of ten eye-related symptoms: ocular discomfort, pain/aching, burning/stinging, itching, redness, dryness/gritty sensation, glare/sensitivity to light, blurry vision, tiredness/eye strain, and headaches.

Out of the 4,351 participants, 50.2% had used e-cigarettes, and 36.5% had smoked cigarettes at least once in their life (‘ever users’). Out of the 2,183 individuals who have ever used e-cigarettes, 55.9% of them also used traditional cigarettes, which makes them “dual users.” Among the 1,092 individuals who had used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days, 44.3% were classified as dual users.

Among the 919 past seven-day users, 45.8% were dual users. Overall, 54.8% of all participants had used other combustible substances at least once in their lifetime.

After accounting for sociodemographic factors, contact lens usage, and the consumption of other combustible substances, individuals who had used cigarettes alone, at least once in their lifetime, were more likely to experience more pronounced burning/stinging sensations in their eyes and blurry vision compared to all other participants.

Similarly, these individuals were also more prone to experiencing more frequent burning/stinging sensations and a dryness/gritty sensation compared to the rest.

Among those who had used only cigarettes in the past 30 days, there was a greater likelihood of experiencing more severe and more frequent blurry vision compared to all other participants. Additionally, individuals who had used only cigarettes in the past seven days had a greater likelihood of experiencing more severe blurry vision compared to others and were also more likely to have more frequent pain/aching and blurry vision.

Dual Ever Users Experience More Severe Ocular Symptoms, Including Dryness and Blurry Vision, Compared to Other Participants

Among dual ever users (those who had used both e-cigarettes and cigarettes at least once in their life), between 1.1% and 3.9% reported severe to very severe ocular symptoms, and between 0.9% and 4.3% reported experiencing daily symptoms. These dual users had a higher likelihood of experiencing more severe dryness/gritty sensation and blurry vision compared to all other participants.

Among past 30-day dual users (those who had used both e-cigarettes and cigarettes in the past 30 days), there was a higher likelihood of experiencing more severe and more frequent eye discomfort, pain/aching, burning/stinging, itching, redness, dryness/gritty sensation, glare/light sensitivity, blurry vision, and headaches compared to all other participants.

Similarly, past seven-day dual users had a higher likelihood of experiencing more severe and more frequent eye discomfort, pain/aching, burning/stinging, itching, redness, dryness/gritty sensation, glare/light sensitivity, blurry vision, headaches, and tiredness/eye strain compared to all other participants.

Elevated Risk of Ocular Symptoms in Dual Users, Regardless of Usage Frequency: A Hypothesis of Oxidative Stress as a Common Factor

The researchers suggest that their findings indicate an increased risk of ocular symptoms among dual users, regardless of the frequency of cigarette and e-cigarette use. They propose that oxidative stress, which can lead to the narrowing of blood vessels (vasoconstriction) in the eyes, might be a potential cause of eye issues in both cigarette and e-cigarette users.

The study has certain limitations, including the inability to directly equate the number of cigarettes smoked with e-cigarette dosage, preventing a comparison of mild, moderate, and heavy use of both products. Additionally, the study does not establish a causal link between cigarette and e-cigarette use and ocular symptoms. Nevertheless, the researchers regard the study’s findings as valuable.

The researchers emphasized the need for additional long-term studies to confirm their results.

They underscored that these findings offer further motivation for healthcare professionals to assess, advise, and provide treatment to all individuals using tobacco products, with the aim of preventing and mitigating eye-related symptoms. They recommend that healthcare providers inquire about the use of nicotine-containing products in all patients and offer guidance and interventions to help mitigate ophthalmologic problem

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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