A CHARITY for blind people is warning Bradford’s smokers that their habit is doubling their risk of developing a sight-threatening condition.

New research released by RNIB shows that 80 per cent of smokers in Yorkshire and The Humber have no idea that it can lead to sight loss. The research also found that half of the region’s smokers said they would consider stopping after being told their habit could lead to sight loss.

RNIB’s eye health manager Clara Eaglen said: “Most people know that smoking can lead to lung cancer, but very few are aware of the link between smoking and sight loss. People still don’t seem to understand the risks.

“People who smoke not only double their risk of developing the sight condition age-related macular degeneration (AMD), but they also tend to develop it earlier than non-smokers do.”