Key result
Childhood obesity is linked to ocular changes including altered retinal microvasculature and higher intraocular pressure.
Why the study?
The ocular manifestations of obesity in children and adolescents are less well understood and existing studies show inconsistent findings.
Childhood obesity may lead to early microvascular and structural ocular changes, highlighting the systemic impact of overnutrition.
Highlights potential early ocular risks in obese children; leaves open causality and clinical utility of screening.
Childhood obesity has reached epidemic levels worldwide. Overweight and obesity is associated with an increase in several inflammatory markers, leading to chronic low-grade inflammation responsible for macro- and microvascular dysfunction. While the impact of obesity on overall health is well-described, less is known about its ocular manifestations. Still, there are few studies in children and adolescents in this regard and they are inconsistent. However, some evidence suggests a significant role of overnutrition in the development of changes in retinal microvasculature parameters (wider venules, narrower arterioles, lower arteriovenous ratio). Higher values of intraocular pressure were found to be positively correlated with high body mass index (BMI) as well as obesity. In addition, the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) values seem to be lower in obese children, and there is a significant negative correlation between RNFL values and anthropometric and/or metabolic parameters. Changes also could be present in macular retinal thickness and choroidal thickness as well as in the retinal vessel density in children with obesity. However, these associations were not consistently documented. The purpose of this review is to present the most current issues on child obesity and the related potential ocular effects through an overview of international publications from the years 1992-2022.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Dezor-Garus et al. (2023) conducted a review in Childhood obesity. Obesity vs. Healthy weight controls was evaluated on Ocular changes (retinal microvasculature, IOP, RNFL, choroidal thickness). Childhood obesity is associated with ocular changes including wider retinal venules, narrower arterioles, higher intraocular pressure, and decreased retinal nerve fiber layer thickness.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: