The hazards of smoking are well known. But what is not so well known is that smoking can also be a reason for vision loss in people at or above the age of 50 years due to what is called Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), AMD is the third largest cause of vision loss worldwide. It first leads to vision distortion and, if not treated well, can cause permanent vision loss. AMD is an eye condition that leads to the deterioration of the centre of the retina, called the macula. It has emerged as the leading cause of vision loss in people.
"The treatment for the AMD is injecting a special drug in the eye, which has to be taken in multiple rounds, like in cancer treatment. The injection to treat AMD costs about Rs. 20,000 to 25,000; so doctors feel that the treatment of the disease is still very expensive. Thus doctors advise people nearing the age of 50 years to take Vitamin A rich food like fish and green vegetables.