Campaigns

Obesity and sight loss - feeling great, looking good

Summary: About the links between general health and eye health including tips on looking after your eyes.

• Obesity and sight loss
• The report
• Free eye test
• Eye health
• Further information
• Information for journalists

---

The ten million adults and two million children in the UK who are obese are at double the risk of losing their sight.

Obesity and sight loss

RNIB's 'Feeling great, looking good' campaign report was launched on Wednesday 6 September 2006. The report shows a direct link between obesity and some of the common eye conditions that cause blindness. These are:

• age-related macular degeneration (AMD) - obesity may increase the risk of developing dry AMD, the type of AMD that has been linked to oxidative damage. Dry AMD is likely to impede ability to carry out daily activities such as driving, reading a newspaper or watching television. Obesity also increases the speed of progression of AMD.
• diabetic retinopathy - obesity significantly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Someone with a body mass index (BMI) of over 35 is up to 80 times more likely to develop the condition than someone with a BMI of less than 22.
• cataracts - if obese, the risk of developing cataracts can be as high as double that of people who are not overweight. Although cataracts are largely treatable, one in four cases of sight loss in people over the age of 75 is due to cataracts.

The report

'Feeling great, looking good' is available to download:

• 'Feeling great, looking good' (Word)
• 'Feeling great, looking good' (PDF)

Free eye test

The 'Feeling great, looking good' report was supported by Boots Opticians. They estimate that in 2005, only one in four children aged below 16 and a third of adults (aged 16+) had an eye test.

In response to our latest findings, to help promote good eye health and encourage people to take an eye test, Boots Opticians launched 'the Big Eye Test Week' from Sunday 3 September - Saturday 9 September 2006. Boots Opticians offered FREE full eye tests for everyone who took an eye test during that time.

Eye health

The report also offers general information on eye health and what you can do to increase the chances of avoiding sight loss in later life.

• Have a regular eye test - An eye test is a vital eye health check and can detect eye conditions before you notice the effect on your sight. Early treatment can prevent your sight from getting worse and save your sight. RNIB recommends regular eye tests every two years for 16 -59 year olds and annually for everybody else, unless otherwise advised by your optician.
• Stop smoking - smokers are twice as likely as non-smokers to lose their sight in later life from AMD, the UK's leading cause of sight loss. Stop smoking, or better still don't start!
• Eat a health diet - eating a diet low in fat but rich in vegetables (especially green leafy vegetables), fruit, nuts and fish can help prevent AMD and cataracts. Using vitamin and mineral supplements for eye health is not generally recommended as a preventative measure as a healthy diet should be sufficient. However, people who have AMD may consider supplementation with vitamins and anti-oxidants but should consult their doctor first.
• Protect your eyes in the sun - your eyes can be damaged by prolonged exposure to intense sunlight and could lead to AMD and cataracts. Use quality sunglasses and/or wear a wide brimmed hat in the sun.

Further information about protect your eyes.

Further information

If you would like further information please call RNIB's Helpline on 0845 766 9999 / 020 7388 2525 or email campaign@rnib.org.uk

Useful links

• NHS Quitline for advice on giving up smoking
• Diabetes UK
• Macular Disease Society
• AMD Alliance International

Information for journalists

An Eye Test Action Day press release has been prepared. Please contact the press office for further information about the campaign.

Back to Eliminating avoidable sight loss campaign

Content author: campaign@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 18/09/2008 16:34