Colour vision disturbances in chronic smokers

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Vision Science
• Toxicology

Background:

• Smoking is a widespread habit with known systemic health effects.
• Ocular health, including color perception, may be affected by smoking.
• Previous research indicates potential links between smoking and visual disturbances.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of smoking on color perception.
• To determine if varying levels of cigarette consumption influence color vision.
• To compare color perception in smokers and non-smokers.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 76 healthy smokers and 76 non-smokers underwent ophthalmological examinations.
• Smokers were divided into two groups based on daily consumption: less than 20 cigarettes (Group 1) and 20 or more cigarettes (Group 2).
• Color perception was assessed using the Roth 28-hue desaturated cap-sorting test.

Main Results:

• Smokers consuming less than 20 cigarettes per day (Group 1) showed no significant difference in color perception compared to non-smokers.
• Smokers consuming 20 or more cigarettes per day (Group 2) exhibited significantly higher error scores, indicating impaired color vision (P<0.0001).
• The control group had an average error score of 42±18, Group 1 scored 51±27, and Group 2 scored 102±45.

Conclusions:

• Smoking less than 20 cigarettes daily does not appear to cause color vision defects in otherwise healthy individuals.
• Higher cigarette consumption (≥20 per day) is associated with significant color vision impairment.
• These findings suggest a dose-dependent relationship between smoking and color vision deficits.