College of Optometrists

18 January 2012 Return to news listings

With smokers doubling their chance of some sight problems, optometrists and opticians are being encouraged to play an important role in one of the UK’s longest standing and most successful health campaigns.

The No Smoking Day campaign, which is now in its 29th year and recently merged with the British Heart Foundation, is urging optical staff to help spread the word to patients about stop smoking information and support in their local area.

The slogan for the 2012 campaign is ‘take the leap’ and smokers will be asked to do this on February 29 – leap year day – and prepare to quit smoking on No Smoking Day itself two weeks later on March 14.

According to the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), the link between smoking and sight loss is as strong as the link between smoking and lung cancer. Smokers double their chance of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and significantly increase their risk of developing cataracts (1).

Vishnee Sauntoo, No Smoking Day campaign marketing manager, said: “Opticians are perfectly placed to help spread the word about No Smoking Day and help people ditch their cigarettes for good.

“Whether it’s helping people who’ve already decided to quit and are actively looking for support, or tactfully broaching the subject with some of your patients who would benefit enormously from quitting and advising them on how to do it.

“You could decorate the reception area with balloons and posters promoting the campaign and resources available to help smokers quit, or you could offer patients lung age or carbon monoxide tests or why not run a quiz or craft activity for children. Opticians are often an ideal local community contact for patients and could really make a difference in helping many of them quit smoking.”

Sonal Rughani, RNIB optometrist and eye health development adviser and College of Optometrists Council member, said: "People are generally aware that smoking causes cancer, but they don't realise the impact it can have on their vision due to the increased risk of conditions like AMD and cataract.

“In fact smokers not only double the risk of developing AMD, they also tend to develop it earlier than non-smokers do. Optometrists and opticians should speak to their patients about the risks of smoking and be prepared to give them advice on where to get help if they want to quit. The good news is that if a patient stops smoking the risk of losing sight decreases over time, so the sooner they stop the better for their vision."

Approximately 10 million UK adults smoke but about two thirds say they want to give up (1). Each year the No Smoking Day campaign is responsible for helping more than 750,000 people across the UK attempt to quit on the day, and for inspiring another two million to seek out information to help them quit in future.

For more information on how to get involved visit www.nosmokingday.org.uk

ENDS

For more information please call the BHF press office on 020 7554 0164 or 07764 290381 (out of hours) or email newsdesk@bhf.org.uk