A new study shows that cigarette smoke can speed aging in the eye and may lead to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is the main cause of vision loss in people aged 50 and older. People who smoke are four times more likely to develop AMD than non-smokers.
Researchers used experiments in mice and tests of donated human retinal pigmented epithelial cells (RPE cells). They compared young and older mice after short and long smoke exposure. Smoking caused changes in gene activity and in chromatin, the DNA structure that helps control genes. Similar changes appeared in human cells. Scientists now want to find which changes are temporary and which are permanent.
Difficult words
- degeneration — process where body tissue becomes worse over time
- retinal — related to the retina at the back of eye
- chromatin — material in cells that contains and organizes DNA
- donate — give something for use without paymentdonated
- exposure — the state of being put near something harmful
- vision loss — partial or complete loss of sight
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Discussion questions
- Why do scientists want to know which changes are temporary and which are permanent?
- What can people do to protect their eyes from cigarette smoke?
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