Macular Degeneration (AMD) Risks Double with Obesity

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Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Research by Barbara McLaughlan of the London based Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) has shown that obesity makes you two times more likely to go blind.

Obesity & Sight Loss

As quoted Dr. McLaughlan's report, "Feeling great, looking good":

Obesity is increasingly being discussed as a risk factor for sight loss. A recent review of association states that obesity is a risk factor for all four major causes of sight loss: AMD, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts (30). Other eye conditions, such as retinal vein occlusion, and hypertensive retinopathy, can also result from high blood pressure and raised levels of cholesterol due to obesity.

One positive thing to note is that the link between obesity and diabetic retinopathy is a little less pointed. However risk factors do increase with progressive severity of obesity and with early onset obesity. The longer you are obese then the more heavily the risk is weighted. To combat this increased risk factor an obvious assault on weight and obesity is a must. Look into dietary changes, calorie restriction, and increases in activity as obvious starting points.

Related
Aside from the loss of excess body weight you can also decrease your risks for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) through your diet. Make sure you eat plenty of the carotenoids Lutein and Zeaxanthin, which can be found in many normal every day foods.

Source
Royal National Institute of the Blind: Feeling Great, Looking Good