Obesity is a growing health epidemic in developed countries that contributes to many other diseases. Many of these diseases manifest in the eyes and will be picked up by our eye doctor during eye examinations. Taking care of ourselves is important for both our overall and eye health, and this article will explain more about how these topics are related in obesity.
What is Obesity?
Obesity is often defined in terms of what is too much weight for a person’s height. This is measured in body mass index or BMI. A BMI over 25 is considered overweight while over 30 is obese. Obesity then is simply having too much body fat, which can be a cosmetic concern but which also has immense health and medical concerns. Systemically, it is associated with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, certain cancers, and overall earlier death.
Eye Disease and Being Overweight
Obesity is associated with eye diseases as well. Generally, anything that reduces one’s overall health can put them at higher risk of eye disease. For example, age-related macular degeneration is higher risk in obese people because they are more likely to have oxidative tissue damage. Obesity increases risk of glaucoma and floppy eyelid syndrome as well. In addition, many systemic disorders have ocular consequences, and as we have already said, obesity is associated with several systemic illnesses. Hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, atherosclerosis, stroke, and thyroid disease are associated with obesity and can show up in the eyes. Obesity thus affects the entire body and the eyes as well.
Healthy Body and Healthy Eyes
Mitigating obesity can be done by following the same health advice you have heard all of your life. Eating a good diet with minimal processed junk foods and maximal whole plant foods, getting moderate exercise several times a week, getting good quality and quantity of sleep, drinking adequate water, handling stress appropriately, and generally increasing well being can help.
In addition, your family doctor can treat any underlying causes of obesity (hormones, etc.) and its complications in addition to recommending resources to help lose weight. Counselling may also likely be a useful part of your care to help you manage your weight. Certain nutrients can help mitigate eye diseases such as macular degeneration but taking care of your overall diet can often provide many of these desired compounds.
Obesity can be tough to work on once you have it, but reducing this condition’s impact on your life and health is extremely worth it, even for your eyes.
