Smokers are three times more likely to develop age-related
macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in
Australians over 40 years old. The Optometrists Association
Australia (Vic) have sent a message to smokers that quitting
early reduces your risk of developing macular degeneration in
the long term. A report released earlier this year by the Centre
for Eye Research Australia, revealed that the likelihood of
smokers developing AMD is tripled when compared to people who
have never smoked. The report also highlighted that AMD costs
the Federal Government more than $2.6 billion dollars every
year, a figure expected to blow-out over the next twenty years
as the population ages. President of the Optometrists
Association (Vic), Ms Paula Monaco, said "AMD is responsible for
almost half of severe vision loss in Australia and smoking is
the only modifiable risk factor for the disease. "Treatment
success for AMD is limited so prevention by reducing risk
factors, like smoking, offers the best hope." "Re