Lifestyle exposures and eye diseases in adults.

PURPOSE To provide a perspective of observed associations between lifestyle exposures and eye diseases in adults. DESIGN Summary of recent epidemiologic studies. METHODS Nonsystematic review of the literature. RESULTS Data suggest that some lifestyle exposures (e.g., smoking) are significantly associated with risk of several different diseases, suggesting that altering behaviors may decrease risk. Where risk is inherent to an occupational or recreational activity, eye protection is likely to decrease risk. CONCLUSIONS Although data are imperfect, it seems that some lifestyle alterations may decrease the risk of eye diseases at little or no risk to the individual.