Switching from Cigarettes to Vapes Linked to Higher Risk of Serious Eye Diseases, Study Finds

A South Korean cohort of 32,316 former smokers, drawn from a 179,273-person health-insurance database, was followed for 4.6 years. Compared with complete nicotine quitters, vapers experienced 44 versus 41.1 eye disease cases per 1,000 person-years (7 % higher overall risk), a 24 % rise in diabetic retinopathy and a 7 % rise in refractive and accommodation disorders.

Study links switch from cigarettes to vapes with higher risk of eye disease

Vaping is marketed as a safer alternative, yet its long-term safety is debated. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates >100 million e-cigarette users worldwide, including 86 million adults. Kenya reports 2.3 million adult smokers (6.4 % of adults) and 5.8 % of university students vaping. The United Kingdom has ~5.4 million adult vapers versus 4.9 million smokers.

Study links switch from cigarettes to vapes with higher risk of eye diseaseLADbibleVaping now linked to increased risk of vision impairment and blindness, study finds

Diabetic retinopathy can cause irreversible blindness; refractive disorders impair daily vision. A 7 % rise in overall eye disease risk among vapers could affect millions, influencing clinical guidance and regulatory policy on nicotine products.

Vaping now linked to increased risk of vision impairment and blindness, study finds

Researchers attribute the elevated risk to nicotine-induced vascular constriction, reduced ocular oxygenation, and chronic inflammation. The National Health Service (NHS) notes vaping is less harmful than smoking but ‘not completely harmless’ and that long-term effects are uncertain. UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting cited the Tobacco and Vapes Bill as a decisive step to protect future generations from nicotine-related illness.

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The observational design used insurance records and self-reported smoking/vaping data, preventing causal inference. No comparator group of continued smokers was included, and the cohort was predominantly male, limiting gender generalizability. Recall bias and a 4.6-year follow-up may miss slower-developing conditions such as cataracts. Consequently, cause-and-effect conclusions remain uncertain.

Study links switch from cigarettes to vapes with higher risk of eye disease

• “People who switched from cigarettes to vaping faced a 24 per cent higher risk of developing diabetic retinopathy compared with complete quitters.” — Study Authors, *American Journal of Ophthalmology*

Study links switch from cigarettes to vapes with higher risk of eye disease

• “Transitioning from CC to NNTPs is associated with a modest but consistent increase in the risk of major vision-impairing eye diseases compared with complete nicotine abstinence,” — Lead Researcher, South Korean Study

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• “According to the NHS, nicotine vaping is less harmful than smoking and is 'one of the most effective tools for quitting smoking'.” — National Health Service (NHS)

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• “This legislation marks a turning point for the nation’s health. By ending the cycle of tobacco addiction for future generations, we are taking one of the boldest steps in decades to prevent illness before it even begins,” — Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

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The authors note the need for further research, including longer follow-up to assess cataract and macular degeneration. Policymakers are urged to integrate findings into vaping regulations, including enforcement of the UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill and to align future guidance with WHO estimates.

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