Can Your Weight Affect Your Risk of Vision Problems?

We know that maintaining a healthy weight is beneficial for overall well-being. Being overweight can increase your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer, but did you know that carrying excess weight can also increase your chances of developing certain vision problems? Getting to and maintaining a healthy weight should be a priority. 

How can being overweight increase your risk of eye diseases?

Obesity has greatly increased in the United States in the last 20 years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the obesity rate in the United States is about 42 percent.

The risks of obesity include problems with vision. Research in the journal Survey of Ophthalmology indicates that obesity is associated with an increased risk of certain eye conditions. But the strength of the link is still not completely known.

Still, researchers do know that being overweight may increase your risk of eye problems for a few reasons. For example, being overweight increases the chances of developing type 2 diabetes. Having diabetes increases your risk of certain eye diseases. Obesity is also associated with an increased risk of having a stroke, which can damage vision. 
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Eye diseases linked to obesity 

Researchers have found a connection between certain eye diseases and obesity. Although more studies are needed to confirm a definitive connection, being obese appears to increase your risk of the following:

Diabetic retinopathy: Diabetic retinopathy is damage to the retina that develops due to chronically high blood-sugar levels. Obesity is one of the main risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes.

Floppy eyelid syndrome: This condition involves increased laxity of the eyelids that leads to malposition. It can cause redness, irritation, and in severe cases, corneal ulcers. According to research in ISRN Ophthalmology, the majority of people that develop floppy eye syndrome are overweight.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD): AMD involves damage to the macula, which affects central vision.  According to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, being overweight is a risk factor for age-related macular degeneration. 
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Ways to maintain a healthy weight 

Losing weight can be challenging, but it is not impossible. To increase your chances of success, consider the following suggestions:

Talk with your doctor: The best place to start a weight loss plan is with your doctor. Your doctor can rule out any medical conditions contributing to weight issues and provide guidelines on diet and exercise.

Track your food: It’s common to be unaware of how much you are eating and underestimate your calories. Most of us grab a bite here or there without realizing how much we eat. Consider using an app to record everything you eat.

Avoid excess sugar, fried, and processed foods: Foods high in sugar, along with processed foods or fried foods, are never a good choice when trying to get to a healthy weight. Swap out foods with empty calories for fresh veggies, fruits, and lean protein.

Find an approach that works for you: There are different types of weight loss programs, such as low carb, intermittent fasting, and the Paleo Diet. But not all programs work for everyone.  Consider your lifestyle and goals. A plan that you can stick with for the long run is your best bet.

Exercise regularly: Consider adding some form of strength training. Adding more lean muscle can give your metabolism a boost, which means increased calories burnt. 

Get enough sleep: Sleep also plays a role in weight loss. If you don’t get enough sleep, it can affect hormone levels, fatigue, and choices that all may add up to weight gain. Aim for between seven and eight hours of sleep a night.

By getting to and maintaining a healthy weight, you can improve your overall health and also reduce your risk of certain eye problems.

If you would like to talk about whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call us at 508-746-8600.