Effect of smoking on corneal and lens clarity: a densitometric analysis

Abstract

Purpose

To assess the effect of chronic cigarette smoking on corneal and lens densitometry measurements using Pentacam HR and to compare the results obtained with those in non-smokers.

Materials and methods

This cross-sectional comparative study included 40 chronic-smokers and 40 age-matched healthy non-smokers between 18–40 years. After general ophthalmic examination, the Pentacam HR imaging system was used to evaluate corneal and lens densitometry measurements of smokers and non-smokers.

Results

The mean corneal densitometry values were not statistically significantly different in all the concentric zones and layers in the eyes of the smokers and non-smokers (p > 0.05, for all). However, the mean values of zone 1, zone 2, zone 3 and average lens densitometry measurements of the smokers were statistically significantly higher compared to non-smokers (p < 0.05, for all). Additionally, significant positive correlations were detected between the number of pack-years smoked and lens densitometry measurements.

Conclusion

Lens densitometry measurements of smokers were significantly increased while corneal densitometry measurements were not significantly altered compared to non-smokers. Smoking may contribute to cataractogenesis and smoking and age-related changes may act synergistically to cataract development among smokers.

Keywords:

• Cigarette smoking
• corneal densitometry
• lens densitometry
• Pentacam HR
• Scheimpflug imaging

Acknowledgments

I want to express my gratitude to İsmail Hakkı Aydın, Data Scientist, Fibabanka, İstanbul, Turkey to his valuable effort and time for statistical analysis.

Authors’ contributions

Conceptualisation (DÖ); Data Curation (DÖ); Methodology (DÖ); Writing (DÖ); Review & Editing (DÖ).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.