HOW DOES WEIGHT GAIN IMPACT VISION?

May 11, 2022
A close up of a person 's blue eye with long eyelashes.

Carrying excess body fat can have health consequences. While not a perfect system, the Body Mass Index (BMI) which relates height to weight is often used to determine whether someone is overweight. A BMI over 25 is considered to be overweight, and over 30 is considered to be obese (there are exceptions to the accuracy of this measurement, click here to learn more). Most are aware of the increased risk of certain health conditions with carrying excess body weight, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. What are the risks of a high BMI to eye health?


Most types of vascular disease (conditions that affect the blood vessels) also have associated eye problems. Diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol can all cause damage to the sensitive blood vessels at the back of the eye. Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of vision loss in Canada.


Here are some of the eye diseases that have been linked to an increased BMI:


Diet and lifestyle habits that promote “heart-healthy living” also protect your eyes. At your next visit your MVO optometrist will review any specific modifiable factors that may be influencing your risk for eye disease.

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