A new study has found that Vaping may still carry health risks even after people quit smoking cigarettes. Researchers say switching to non-combustible nicotine products may not fully protect long-term eye health.
The research was conducted by Korea University College of Medicine. It analyzed health insurance data from 32,316 former smokers in South Korea.
The participants were followed for an average of 4.6 years. The findings were later published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology.
Researchers divided the participants into two groups. One group stopped using nicotine completely. The second group switched to alternatives such as e-cigarettes and other nicotine products.
During the study, experts recorded 6,328 new cases of eye disease. The results showed a clear difference between the two groups.
Among those who completely quit nicotine, the rate of eye disease was 41.1 cases per 1,000 person-years. For those using nicotine alternatives, the rate was slightly higher at 44 cases.
After reviewing the data, researchers found that Vaping and similar nicotine products were linked to a 7 percent higher overall risk of eye disease.
The strongest link was found in diabetic retinopathy. This is a serious eye condition caused by diabetes. People who continued Vaping or using nicotine alternatives had a 24 percent higher risk of developing it.
Researchers also found an increased risk of focus-related eye disorders. These conditions can affect a person’s ability to see clearly.
The study did not directly mention total blindness as a common outcome. However, experts said severe complications may happen in rare cases.
Researchers explained that switching from cigarettes to Vaping may reduce some health risks, but it does not remove all dangers.
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They said the best option for protecting eye health is to stop using nicotine completely. The findings add to growing concerns about the long-term effects of Vaping.
