Smoking Past Age 80 Worsens AMD Risk, Also Linked to Uveitis

Smokers 80 and older who don't quit will face an ever-rising risk of macular degeneration beyond that associated with age, RPB researchers said. The study's findings were also consistent with previous research linking alcohol to increased AMD risk. The study didn't address potential mechanisms for smoking's relationship with AMD, but previous research has suggested several possibilities:

• Smoking depresses serum antioxidant levels
• It alters choroidal blood flow
• It inhibits retinal luteal pigments

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January 8, 2010