Obesity increases diabetes and blindness risk

Obese individuals who suffer an increased risk of developing diabetes also suffer a greater risk of sight problems, according to a new study by the Royal National Institute of the Blind . The report indicates that heavily overweight and obese people face a greater risk of developing cataracts and age-related macular degeneratio, both of which can cause loss of sight.
The lead author of the RNIB report, Barbara McLaughla, said: “With a staggering one in five adults and children in the UK now considered to be obese, RNIB believes it 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 .”
She continued: “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 .”
Obese people were found to be at greater risk of developing Age-related Macular Degeneratio, cataracts, glaucoma and diabetes. Obese people were advised to guard against these conditions.