Study finds reduced risk of cataracts associated with obesity surgery

 

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/643328

 

 News Release 12-May-2021
Peer-Reviewed Publication
European Association for the Study of Obesity 

New research presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity (held online 10-13 May) has found a reduced risk of eye cataracts occurring in patients who have lost weight through obesity (bariatric) surgery. The study is by Dr Theresa Burkard, ETH Zurich, Switzerland, and colleagues from Sweden and Switzerland.

A cataract is a cloudy obstruction in the lens of the eye, and a chronic condition which is a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness. A previous meta-analysis reported that overweight and obesity were risk factors for cataract development.[1] In this new study, the authors hypothesized that weight loss in patients with obesity may be associated with a lower incidence of cataract potentially due to decreased oxidative stress, less systemic inflammation, and remission of diabetes and hypertension in patients with those conditions.

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