TAMPA, Fla. (BLOOM) — Vaping—it’s what all the kids are doing these days. But could it be harming their eyes? Dr. Alex Martin, an eye health expert from Eyebot, says vaping may pose serious risks. Research shows that chemicals in vaping can damage the surface of the eye, disrupt tear film quality, harm the mucin layer, and even trigger chronic dry eye disease.

What’s happening to your eyes?

“Vaping and smoking do more than just dry out your eyes,” Dr. Martin explained. “The chemicals you inhale can throw off your body’s natural balance, leading to inflammation and damaging the outer coating of the eye.”

This disruption affects the glands that produce tears, causing them to work less efficiently. As a result, tears evaporate faster than they should, leaving your eyes dry and irritated. This condition, known as dry eye syndrome, can start with mild discomfort but often worsens over time.

“At first, artificial tears might help,” Martin said. “But for many, stronger treatments like steroid drops or advanced therapies are needed to stop the inflammation.” Severe cases may require specialized solutions like blood serum tears or scleral contact lenses.

Could vaping increase cancer risks?

Although there’s limited research directly linking vaping to eye cancer, Dr. Martin points to evidence that chronic tissue stress caused by vaping could create the conditions for cancer to develop. “The chemicals in vaping disrupt the body’s balance, which can make it easier for cancers to grow,” he explained.

Vaping and your tear film

Your eyes depend on a thin layer of tears, known as the tear film, to stay moist and protected. Vaping disrupts this delicate system by harming the glands that produce a key component of tears: the lipid layer.

“These glands, called meibomian glands, create an oily layer that keeps tears from evaporating too quickly,” Martin said. “Vaping chemicals damage these glands over time, causing them to stop working or even die.”

Without this layer, tears evaporate rapidly, leaving eyes vulnerable to irritation, inflammation, and long-term damage.

What can vapers do?

Dr. Martin recommends regular eye exams, especially for those who vape. “Seeing a dry eye specialist can help catch problems early,” he said. Specialists can use advanced equipment to measure tear film quality and track any changes over time.

If you can’t quit vaping entirely, Martin suggests cutting back and using preservative-free artificial tears to flush out irritants and keep your eyes hydrated.

While vaping may seem like no big deal, the risks to your eye health are real. Protecting your vision now could save you from chronic discomfort and more serious problems down the road.

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