Prolonged Tobacco Use Can Make You Blind - AIIMS Doctors

It isn't just cancer, but tobacoo use for a long period of time can lead to loss of vision as well, according to the doctors from the All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). Delhi.

Doctors also said that many studies on this topic have shown that people who smoke, have higher chances of having cataract compared to those who do not smoke. Consuming tobacco for 5 or 10 years, can have a serious effect on the eye veins and this in turn leads to loss of vision.

Dr Atul Kumar, head of Dr Rajendra Prasad Centre For Ophthalmic Sciences, AIIMS, said that in such cases, it leads to irreversible blindness.

People know that chewing tobacco or using tobacco in any form can lead to cardiovascular disease and cancer, but people are still not aware that tobacco use can also lead to eyesight problem. He further stated that people who come to AIIMS with vision problem and loss of vision every year, about 5 percent of the cases are related to tobacco use.

Dr. Atul said that a national blindness survey is being conducted in collaboration with the Union Health Ministry. Its aim is to gather data about the visually impaired people in the country.

According to Praveen Vashisht, in-charge of Community Ophthalmology, data collection has been completed in 19 districts of 30 districts selected for the survey. The survey is expected to be completed by June next year.

So how to quit this bad habit? There are a few herbs that actually helps one to quit tobacco.

Herbs That Help To Quit Tobacco:

Licorice:
One of the best herbs that helps one to quit tobacco is licorice. Whenever you have the urge to smoke take a licorice stick and chew it, it helps.

Ginsing:
Take a spoon of ginseng powder and add it to your juices, cereal, oatmeal or soup. This helps in fighting the cravings for tobacoo. It is best to have it during the morning.

Peppermint:
Peppermint is one of the best herbs that helps in detoxifying the body. All that you need to do is take few peppermint leaves and add it in boiling water, steep it for few minutes and then drink. This helps to calm your nerves and boost the circulation and help relieve nicotine withdrawal headaches.

Slippery Elm:
Slipppery elm helps in flushing out the toxins from the system. Slippery elm also gives you enough nutrients that help your body to adjust with the nicotine withdrawal. All that you need to do is take ake a half teaspoon of slippery elm tea after lunch.