If you’re looking to improve your eye health, losing weight might be a good place to start. While it’s not a guaranteed cure for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), studies suggest that excess weight, especially around the waist, can increase your risk of developing advanced forms of AMD.
What the Research Says
A 2003 study by Dr. Johanna Seddon showed that higher body mass index increased the risk for progression to the advanced forms of macular degeneration. Higher waist circumference was associated with a 2-fold increased risk for progression, and continued increased risk with greater waist circumference. Higher waist to hip ratio (WHR) also increased risk for progression to later stages of age-related macular degeneration. This study also found that more physical activity tended to decrease risk.1
In 2016, a review of the literature found little evidence for being overweight and onset of early AMD, but did find a 32% increase in the risk of developing late macular degeneration among obese individuals. Additionally, elevated body mass index (BMI) showed an increased risk of AMD by 2% for each 1 kg/m2 increase in BMI within the overweight and obese ranges.2
A 2020 review by researchers in the Netherlands found that half of the studies they reviewed showed an increased risk of AMD with higher BMI, while other studies found no association. As with previous studies, the findings showed that obese individuals have an increased risk for developing late AMD. Other measurements of body weight such as waist circumference (WC) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) were also confirmed the association between body weight and disease progression. For example, one longitudinal population cohort found that a decrease in WHR is associated with a lower incidence rate of any form of AMD.
So Why Does Weight Matter?
- Inflammation: Excess weight can lead to increased inflammation in the body, including the eyes. This inflammation can damage the delicate tissues of the macula.
- Reduced Nutrient Absorption: When you’re overweight, your body stores more nutrients, including the carotenoids essential for eye health, in fat cells. This can leave less of these nutrients available for your eyes.3
What Can You Do?
- Maintain a Healthy Weight: Aim for a healthy weight and waist circumference. Talk to your doctor about what’s right for you.
- Eat a Balanced Diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help you maintain a healthy weight and provide essential nutrients for eye health.
- Exercise Regularly: Regular physical activity can help you lose weight and improve your overall health.
Remember: While maintaining a healthy weight may reduce your risk of AMD progression, this is one of several risk factors, some which may be outside your control, such as genetics. Be sure to monitor your vision with at-home tools like the Amsler Grid, and have regular eye exams.
References
- Seddon JM, Cote J, Davis N, Rosner B. Progression of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Association With Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference, and Waist-Hip Ratio. Arch Ophthalmol. 2003;121(6):785–792. doi:10.1001/archopht.121.6.785 ↩︎
- Qian-Yu Zhang, Li-Jun Tie, Shan-Shan Wu, Pei-Lin Lv, Hong-Wei Huang, Wei-Qing Wang, Hui Wang, Le Ma; Overweight, Obesity, and Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2016;57(3):1276-1283. https://doi.org/10.1167/iovs.15-18637. ↩︎
- Heesterbeek TJ, Lorés-Motta L, Hoyng CB, Lechanteur YTE & den Hollander AI. Risk factors for progression of age-related macular degeneration. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2020; 40: 140–170. https://doi.org/10.1111/opo.12675 ↩︎