Shedding light on eye disease in obesity

Obesity is known to be associated with numerous ocular manifestations, including but not limited to, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, and dry eye disease. Multiple mechanisms linking obesity to ophthalmic disease have been proposed.  Adipose (fat) tissue produces various inflammatory cytokines that can affect ocular tissues, leading to disease progression. Obesity is also associated with systemic metabolic changes that can influence ocular health. Bariatric surgery has been shown to be protective against development of ophthalmic disease. 

Healthcare providers should encourage weight loss in patients with overweight or obesity to prevent or delay the onset of ocular complications. Further research is needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms of this association, and to identify effective strategies for preventing or managing ophthalmic disease in patients with obesity. 

Edited by Dawn Wilcox, BSN, RN

Source: Clin Obes. 2024 Feb;14(1):e12616. doi: 10.1111/cob.12616