People who lose weight, particularly those who are obese, can decrease their odds of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of severe vision loss among the elderly people. Previous studies have shown conflicting results on the link between obesity and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Therefore, researchers from Australia examined how changes in weight impact the risk of AMD in 12, 515 adults between the age of 45 and 64 years. The participants were followed for 6 years. The data of their waist-hip ratio and abdominal obesity was collected. The percentage change in the waist-hip ratio was ranked into sex-specific declines. It was found that with a 3 percent or greater drop in the waist-hip ratio, the odds of AMD fell significantly compared to people with stable weight. On an average, the waist-hip ratio increased by 2 percent, although changes ranged from a 4 percent decrease to a 102 percent increase. The reduction in AMD risk was even more evident in subjects who were obese at the start of study. The researchers concluded that the weight reduction, especially in obese and overweight patients, would reduce the risk of developing AMD. However, further studies are required to examine the extremes of weight change in others.
Archives of Ophthalmology
November 2008