Does Obesity Impact Eye Health?

Nation-wide awareness about the dangers of obesity is at an all-time high, yet despite public knowledge of obesity's effects on hypertension, stroke, and diabetes, many are not aware of how it damages eye health and vision.

How Obesity Contributes to Eye Disease

A Body Mass Index (BMI) above 25 is considered overweight, and above 30 is obese. Increasing evidence shows that people who are clinically obese have an elevated risk of developing serious eye diseases. Professor Michael Belkin and Dr. Zohar Habot-Wilner found a consistently strong correlation between obesity and the development of four major eye diseases:

• Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
• Cataracts
• Glaucoma
• Diabetic retinopathy

The connection between obesity and these eye diseases is likely due to increased risk of peripheral artery disease. The blood vessels in the eyes (called arterioles) are extremely thin and small — as thin as half the width of a human hair — making them particularly prone to damage from obesity.

Most people are not aware that obesity may also increase the rate of developing cataracts, floppy eyelid syndrome, retinal vein occlusions, thyroid-related eye diseases, and stroke-related vision loss.

A Healthy Lifestyle Can Reduce Your Risk

An active lifestyle and a balanced, nutritious diet lower obesity and improve overall physical and eye health. Give your body a boost by incorporating important nutrients such as vitamins C and E, zeaxanthin, omega-3, zinc, and lutein, many of which are found in green leafy and dark orange vegetables.

While healthy habits greatly increase your chances of good eye health, regular eye exams with our team at St. Clairsville Eyecare in St. Clairsville can help prevent or detect the onset of ocular disease. Call us at (740) 695-0444.