Obesity Can Affect Your Vision

Researchers have proposed that obesity is linked to numerous eye diseases including cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.  These eye conditions are primarily caused by high blood pressure, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, issues seen much more frequently in obese people than others in the general public. The end result is that obesity can lead to an increase incidence of blindness.

High Blood Pressure Increases Eye Pressure

Carrying extra weight increases the pressure applied to blood vessels.  In the eye, the vessels are extremely delicate, meaning that they are easily damaged when extra pressure is applied.  Having excess weight can lead to these vessels becoming damaged, which ultimately can cause poor vision.

High blood pressure and high cholesterol can provoke eye conditions including hypertensive retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion.  In these conditions, the retina, or light receptor in the eye, has increased pressure applied to it.  This causes a decrease in functioning and damage to the eye, leading to vision deterioration.  Symptoms include blurred vision, dimness, and overall trouble seeing.

Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes Causing Vision Loss

Cardiovascular disease and diabetes are better known for their direct affects on the heart and blood sugar respectively, but they can also drastically alter vision.  In eye diseases such as macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, the vascular system plays a direct role.  Excess weight is known to create problems with the heart’s ability to pump blood and increased blood pressure, which affects the blood vessels in the eye.  With diabetes, its most common presentation in regards to the eye is known as diabetic retinopathy.  Diabetic retinopathy happens when diabetes damages the tiny blood vessels in the retina.  This complication of diabetes is currently the leading cause of blindness.

How To Prevent Vision Loss

Vision loss occurs for many reasons.  Most are irreversible, but some such as obesity can be overcome to help prevent sight deterioration.  By losing weight, you will help cure the causes of these vision problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Therefore, the best fix for the countless vision problems associated with obesity is to lose weight.  It is also imperative to regularly see your eye doctor to diagnose early any problems you may have. While weight loss can be very difficult, if you have tried and failed the many diets and exercise routines out there, surgical options like the gastric sleeve surgery offered by New You Sleeve can lead you to the path of real long term weight loss. We make the process as easy as possible and provide all the support and guidance one needs to reach their goals.-Jamie Clarke