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06/09/2006
Obese people risk losing their sight
Obese people are twice as likely to lose their sight, a report by the Royal National Institute of the Blind has warned.
The report warned that obesity doubled the risk of developing dry age-related macular degeneration - one of the leading causes of sight loss in the UK.
Obesity also increases the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, which could lead to the development of diabetic retinopathy.
People who are obese are also more likely to develop a range of other eye conditions, including glaucoma and cataracts.
The news comes after the recent publication of figures by the Department of Health warning that a third of children and adults - around 13 million people - could be classified as obese by 2010, if no further action was taken to halt the increase in obesity levels.
RNIB eye health consultant Barbara McLaughlan said: "With a staggering one in five adults and children in the UK now considered to be obese, RNIB believes if is vital that people are made aware of the risks to their sight.
"Sight is the sense we most fear losing, but most people don't do nearly enough to look after their eyes.
"To safeguard sight, we recommend people maintain a healthy weight, eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, take exercise to improve general health, don't smoke and, most importantly, have regular eye tests.
"Many thousands of people lose their sight each year through conditions that could have been treated if picked up early enough through an eye test."
(KMcA/EF)
The report warned that obesity doubled the risk of developing dry age-related macular degeneration - one of the leading causes of sight loss in the UK.
Obesity also increases the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, which could lead to the development of diabetic retinopathy.
People who are obese are also more likely to develop a range of other eye conditions, including glaucoma and cataracts.
The news comes after the recent publication of figures by the Department of Health warning that a third of children and adults - around 13 million people - could be classified as obese by 2010, if no further action was taken to halt the increase in obesity levels.
RNIB eye health consultant Barbara McLaughlan said: "With a staggering one in five adults and children in the UK now considered to be obese, RNIB believes if is vital that people are made aware of the risks to their sight.
"Sight is the sense we most fear losing, but most people don't do nearly enough to look after their eyes.
"To safeguard sight, we recommend people maintain a healthy weight, eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, take exercise to improve general health, don't smoke and, most importantly, have regular eye tests.
"Many thousands of people lose their sight each year through conditions that could have been treated if picked up early enough through an eye test."
(KMcA/EF)
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