Does cigarette smoking cause cataracts?

In a word, yes. The association between cigarette smoking and cataract formation has been known for some time, and was recently reaffirmed by a new study published in the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery here. Interestingly, this survey used urine tests for cotinine, which is greatly increased in cigarette smokers, to verify smoking status (because not everyone admits to it on a survey!). Across the entire studied population, cigarette smoking increased the risk of cataract formation by approximately 35%. While cataracts can be removed with cataract surgery, cigarette smoking can also increase the frequency of other blinding eye diseases, such as macular degeneration, which are not so readily treated.