Ocular Vasodynamic Changes in Light and Darkness in Smokers

Abstract

The normal capacity for increased blood flow velocity in the central retinal artery in darkness was markedly reduced in smokers. This finding may explain the reduced dark vision after recent smoking reported in several studies and probably reflects the combined effects of an increased blood viscosity, the vasoconstrictive action of nicotine, and a reduced capacity of the blood to transport oxygen, as the hemoglobin is partly occupied by carbon monoxide.