Colour vision disturbances in chronic smokers

Purpose: The im of the present study was to test the influence of smoking o n colour perception. Subjects and methods: At the University Eye Hospital Tubingen, 76 generally healthy smokers with inconspicuous ophthalmological findings (visual acuit y, refraction, intraocular pressure, morphology) were examined by the cap-s orting test, Roth 28-hue desaturated. Group 1 was comprised of smokers (n=2 0; M 9, F 11; mean age 28.1+/-10.3 years) with a smoking consumption of les s than one packet of cigarettes per day (8.4+/-5.3 cigarettes/day) for 9.1/-8.3 years. Group 2 consisted of smokers (n=32; M 22, F 10; mean age 28.6/-9.7 years) with a smoking consumption of one or more than one packet per day (30+/-8.4 cigarettes/day) for 9.5+/-8.3 years. Generally healthy and op hthalmologically normal non-smokers served as a control group (n=76; M 41, F 35; mean age 30+/-9 years). Results: The average error score of the contr ol group was (median+/-mean absolute deviation) 42+/-18. Group 1 showed no difference to the control group (51+/-27; P=0.42). On the other hand, group 2 had a significantly higher error score than the control group (102+/-45; P<0.0001). Conclusion: Otherwise healthy smokers with a cigarette consumpt ion of less than 20 cigarettes per day do not show any disturbances in colo ur vision. Smokers who consume more than 20 cigarettes per day may suffer c olour vision defects as a result.