THE IMPACT ON TEAR FILM DUE TO ACTIVE, PASSIVE AND NON SMOKING: AN UPDATED REVIEW

Smoking, whether active or passive, is associated with various health problems affecting the body and eyes. The precorneal tear film, a crucial component of eye health, provides valuable information about eye health. Studies show that smoking has a detrimental effect on the tear film. However, since smoking can affect different parts of the eye, a single test is not enough to assess its impact. Comprehending the specific eye disorders linked to smoking can enhance awareness and motivate individuals to make informed decisions about their smoking habits. The aim of this review was to gather relevant information and find out the impact of smoking on dry eyes. This review conducted a comprehensive search in PubMed and Google Scholar from 2012 to 2023 with specific search terms including dry eye, ocular disorder, active smoking, and passive smoking. The average Schirmer score and TBUT value of the smoker’s group were significantly lower than those of the non-smokers group. Research indicates that smoking cigarettes may have an impact on the TBUT value, Schirmer score, and hexagonal cells of the corneal endothelium. Continued smoking can lead to permanent eye damage, potentially resulting in blindness. To protect your eyesight, quit smoking and steer clear of secondhand smoke exposure. Smoking cigarettes can cause irreversible vision loss by seriously harming your eyes. To protect eye health, quit smoking entirely and avoid being around other smokers, as secondhand smoke is also harmful. Smokers are more likely to suffer from diseases that affect the "precorneal tear film" and "ocular surface" of their eyes, as well as cause instability in their tear films, dry eyes, and impaired sensitivity in both the cornea and the conjunctiva. Keywords: Dry eye, Active smoking, Passive smoking, Ocular surface disorder, TBUT, Schirmer’s test