Today, obesity and related diseases, which are becoming increasingly common due to reasons such as sedentary life, excessive calorie foods and sitting work, are increasing in our country.

Stating that obesity negatively affects the vessels and hormones in the body and causes chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, Op. Dr. Altınbay pointed out that this situation triggers eye diseases. Op. Dr. Altınbay said, “Studies have shown that obesity causes cataracts, glaucoma (eye pressure), yellow spot, retinopathy (eye disorder due to diabetes) and dry eye disease that causes watery eyes, stinging sensation and blurred vision. Currently, there are no studies that show a definitive result that these diseases can be cured when an obese person loses weight. However, in a recent study, it was also observed that there was an improvement in eye vascular structures in individuals who lost weight after bariatric surgery.”

The leptin hormone secreted from adipose tissues in obese people is thought to accelerate cataract formation by increasing the level of oxidative stress in the body. However, there is also the view that the natural lens cannot be nourished and cleaned from waste materials as a result of diseases that cause vascular damage such as obesity-related diabetes. All these cause cataract formation in obese people faster than other healthy individuals. It is important for everyone, whether they have eye disease or not, to see specialist physicians for routine examinations once a year.

November  2024