Korea University Study Links Vaping Switch to 7% Higher Eye Disease Risk
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jun 26
Korea University Study Links Vaping Switch to 7% Higher Eye Disease Risk
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 26
Summary
A Korea University analysis of 179,273 former smokers found people who switched to vapes or other smokeless nicotine products faced a 7% higher risk of major eye disease than those who quit nicotine entirely.
The matched study tracked 32,316 comparable participants for an average 4.6 years and recorded 6,328 eye disease events, with rates of 44 cases per 1,000 person-years for switchers versus 41.1 for complete quitters.
Diabetic retinopathy showed the sharpest increase, with switchers facing a 24% higher risk, while refractive and accommodation disorders were 7% more likely.
Researchers said the findings challenge the idea that noncombustible nicotine products are visually harmless, though the retrospective insurance-data study cannot prove causation and relied partly on self-reported nicotine use.
Beyond lungs and hearts, are vapes quietly creating a public health crisis for our eyes?
Vaping was sold as a safer alternative. Is it now blinding a new generation?
Vaping Raises Eye Disease Risk by 7%: New Evidence Reveals Hidden Dangers for Vision
Overview
A major study from Korea University College of Medicine, published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology, analyzed data from over 1 million people between 2009 and 2018. Researchers carefully matched participants by age, sex, income, and health conditions to compare those who switched from traditional cigarettes to e-cigarettes or smokeless nicotine products with those who quit nicotine entirely. The findings show that switching to vaping or smokeless nicotine leads to a 7% higher risk of serious eye diseases, including a 24% higher risk of diabetic retinopathy and a 7% higher risk of refractive and accommodation disorders, challenging the idea that vaping is a safe alternative.