Please do not claim smoking weed caused macular degeneration because that is a billion percent false. If it were true, there would be thousands more cases. It sounds like poor eyesight runs in your family, so it looks like a genetic thing . Blame science or Jesus or whatever you subscribe to. Bad genes are a thing in life unfortunately

Firstly, there is not a known *cause* for Macular Degeneration. Smoking raises your risk factors for dozens of health conditions - heart disease, lung disease (the link between smoking and lung cancer is much, much stronger), throat cancer, oral cancer, etc. There are genetic components, it does run in families, and sometimes it just happens.

Likewise, there is no good determination of how it will impact someone. Sometimes shots in the eye can *SLOW* (not stop, not reverse) the rate of degeneration. Sometimes special eye vitamins can slow the speed. Diet (greens, corn, carrots, etc.), Lifestyle, Exercise are always good things to practice, but this may only slow the degeneration. I have had clients with macular degeneration whose eyesight dropped, and then plateaued for a decade; I have had clients who lost most of their vision in three months.

In terms of how to help her - there are lots of coping strategies and types of assistive technology that can help her do most things (except drive). Learning to use a cane to navigate is done with an Orientation & Mobility specialist. There are all sorts of technologies out there - she will still be able to use a cell phone, read books, do housework (cook/clean/etc), enjoy life - some things will require special tools or training or making some adjustments - it is not an easy road but it is not impossible.

If you are in the US, every state has resources (usually under Depart of Human Services) that can help. Try and find a Low Vision Specialist (a special type of Ophthalmologist) and someplace nearby that does Assistive Technology. Organizations like the Lions club may be able to help as well.

I would recommend reading resources made by The Macular Society: https://www.macularsociety.org/

Although it's a UK based charity, they have loads of useful information.

As for the smoking aspect, cigarettes are known to be a factor to possibly a factor which can contribute to AMD due to possible changes to blood vessels located there. Smokers are four times more likely to develop AMD according to the Macular Society.

However, age is the main risk factor. Working in the sight loss industry myself the vast majority of my clients have AMD and are mostly aged 60-95.

A family history of AMD will increase likelihood along with diet and blood pressure.

Hope this helps