- Smoking can harm the eye and reduce vision.
- Smoking can make the eye age much faster.
- This can lead to macular degeneration in older people.
- Macular degeneration causes loss of central sight.
- Scientists used mice and donated human eye cells.
- They found damaged retinal cells after smoke exposure.
- Smoke changed how some genes work in these cells.
- Researchers want to know which changes last.
- The study helps explain why smokers have higher risk.
- Stopping smoking may help protect eyesight.
Difficult words
- macular degeneration — a disease that damages the center of vision
- retinal cell — a cell in the back of the eyeretinal cells
- gene — a part of DNA that controls body traitsgenes
- exposure — being in contact with something harmful
- smoke — breathing or inhaling burning tobaccoSmoking
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you know anyone who smokes?
- Would you stop smoking to protect your eyesight?
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