Study finds worrying link behind vaping and risk of blindness

People who go from smoking cigarettes to vaping instead of quitting nicotine completely may have a higher risk of developing serious eye diseases, according to a new South Korean study.

Researchers found that smokers who changed to nicotine vapes were around seven percent more likely to develop vision problems than those who gave up nicotine altogether.

The study suggests that while vaping may avoid some of the harmful chemicals in cigarettes, nicotine itself could still damage eye health.

The research, published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology, followed more than 32,000 former smokers for an average of 4.6 years.

During that time, people who quit nicotine completely had the lowest rate of eye disease, while those who switched to vaping developed slightly more cases.

The biggest increase was seen in diabetic retinopathy, a condition that damages the blood vessels in the retina and can lead to blindness in people with diabetes.

Approximately 5.4 million adults in the UK use vapes daily or occasionally, compared to 4.9 million who use cigarettes (Getty Stock Images)

People who switched to vaping had a 24 percent higher risk of developing the condition than those who quit nicotine completely.

Scientists believe nicotine is the main cause and that it can narrow blood vessels, reduce oxygen reaching the eyes and increase inflammation, which may damage delicate eye tissues over time.

The results were similar regardless of income, weight, exercise levels or existing health conditions. However, researchers said the study mainly involved men, so the findings may not fully apply to women.

They also noted that the follow-up period may not have been long enough to detect slower-developing conditions such as cataracts.

Although the overall increase in risk was small, researchers said it could have a big impact because millions of people vape.

You must be 18 or older to buy vapes in Britain, as all disposable vapes are fully banned after the Tobacco and Vapes Bill became law in April 2026 (Getty Stock Images)

“Transitioning from CC to NNTPs is associated with a modest but consistent increase in the risk of major vision-impairing eye diseases compared with complete nicotine abstinence,” the authors concluded.

According to the NHS, nicotine vaping is less harmful than smoking and is 'one of the most effective tools for quitting smoking'.

10 percent of adults, around 5.4 to 5.5 million people, vape daily or occasionally in the UK, with over half being ex-smokers.

Yet the health service notes that vaping is 'not completely harmless and we don’t know yet what the long-term effects may be'.

You must be 18 or older to buy vapes in Britain, as all disposable vapes are fully banned after the Tobacco and Vapes Bill became law in April 2026.

"This legislation marks a turning point for the nation’s health. By ending the cycle of tobacco addiction for future generations, we are taking one of the boldest steps in decades to prevent illness before it even begins," Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, said.