Key result
Obesity was associated with significantly higher intraocular pressure (16.30 mmHg) compared to normal BMI (14.98 mmHg), as well as lower retinal vessel density.
Why the study?
To evaluate microvascular retinal changes via OCTA in overweight and obese Egyptians compared to normal controls, and correlate them with BMI, IOP, perimetry, and RNFL thickness.
Does increased BMI correlate with changes in intraocular pressure, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, and retinal microvasculature in Egyptian patients?
Cross-Sectional (n=180)
No
Does increased BMI correlate with changes in intraocular pressure, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, and retinal microvasculature in Egyptian patients?
Absolute Event Rate: 16.3% vs 14.98%
Obesity is associated with increased intraocular pressure and decreased retinal microvascular density, which may precede structural and functional alterations.
OCTA retinal microvascular findings in obesity remain hypothesis-generating; larger prospective studies needed before clinical relevance.
Purpose To study the microvascular retinal changes in overweight and obese Egyptians relative to normal by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and to correlate them to BMI to intraocular pressure (IOP), perimetry, and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness. Patients and methods A tertiary-center study included 180 patients, categorized to three groups based on their BMI. Group 1 (healthy): patients with BMI 18.5–24.9. Group 2 (overweight): patients with BMI 25.0–29.9. Group 3 (obese): patients with BMI more than 30. Measurement of blood pressure, both systolic and diastolic. Lipid profile (triglycerides and total cholesterol) and serum creatinine. And will have a full ocular examination including IOP measurement by Goldmann applanation tonometry and performed two investigations: OCTA macula and disc by SD-OCT (Optovue Avanti 6000101-901-0300) and Zeiss Automated Humphrey (850-10033) perimetry with Swedish interactive thresholding algorithm (SITA) standard 24-2. Results IOP showed lower significant results in groups 1 and 2 than those in group 3 with a mean of 14.98±1.44, 15.27±1.30, 16.30±1.44 mmHg successively in the groups. No significant differences between the three groups in temporal, nasal, superior, inferior, and average RNFL thicknesses and in ganglion cell complex thicknesses and mean deviation, VF%, and pattern standard deviation differed insignificantly between the groups 1 and 2, while it is lower in group 1 in comparison to groups 2 and 3. Foveal avascular zone and foveal avascular zone perimeter measurements did not differ significantly between groups. Retinal superficial and deep capillary plexus and radial peripapillary capillary vessel density showed lower readings in obese and overweight relative to normal. Conclusion Retinal and disc microvascular obesity-related changes may precede both structural and functional alterations in macula and RNFL.
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Mohamed et al. (2025) conducted a cross-sectional in Overweight and obesity (n=180). High BMI (Overweight and Obese) vs. Normal BMI (18.5-24.9) was evaluated on Intraocular pressure (IOP). Obesity was associated with significantly higher intraocular pressure (16.30 mmHg) compared to normal BMI (14.98 mmHg), as well as lower retinal vessel density.
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