Dr. Grossman’s Blog

A recent study n the June issue of Archives of Ophthalmology shows that eating right can reduce the chance of developing cataracts in women aged 50 to 79.

Study authors state: “Diet was the strongest risk factor related to reduced risk of nuclear cataract in this sample of postmenopausal women… Smoking and obesity were also contributors. Lifestyle improvements that include healthy diets, smoking cessation, and avoiding obesity may substantively lower the need for and economic burden of cataract surgery in aging American women.”

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Source information: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/723624

AMD associated with higher Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference, and Waist-Hip Ratio

People with early or intermediate stages of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) make up a large and growing segment the elderly population.

Researchers interested in identifying preventative measures to help this group lessen their risk of advanced AMD conducted a survey of 261 participants from a hospital-based retinal practice.  Participants were aged 60 years or older, with some sign of nonadvanced AMD and visual acuity of 20/200 or better in at least 1 eye.

The results of the study showed that obesity (measured in body mass index) greatly increases the risk for progression to the advanced forms of AMD. 

In addition:

• Higher waist circumference was associated with a 2-fold increased risk for progression, with a significant trend for increasing risk with a greater waist circumference
• Higher waist-hip ratio also increased the risk for progression
• More physical activity tended to be associated with a reduced rate of progression (25% reduction for 3 times per week vigorous activity compared with no activity)

Study authors believe that the results provide new information regarding modifiable factors for individuals with the early or intermediate stages of this disease.  Although overall and abdominal obesity increased the risk for progression to advanced AMD, increasing physical activity tended to decrease risk.

Learn other natural preventative measures to lesson your risk of AMD

SOURCE:  Progression of Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Seddon, et al, Arch Ophthalmol. 2003;121:785-792

Accumulated weight around the waist (abdominal fat) may be linked to an increased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is the most common cause of loss of vision and blindness in adults.

A recent study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology examined the association between changes in the waist-to-hip ratio (a measure of abdominal obesity) and risk of AMD. A total of 12,515 people aged 45 to 64 were followed over six years.

Researchers found that a higher waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) was associated with elevated risk of AMD.

The good news is that study participants who reduced their WHR generally saw a reduction in risk of AMD. Overall, a 3 per cent or more decrease in WHR was associated with a 29 per cent reduced risk of AMD. The effect was greatest among those participants classified as obese: a decrease in WHR was associated with 59% lower odds of AMD.

Researchers concluded that middle-aged people who had a 3% or greater reduction in WHR over time were less likely to have AMD, particularly among those who were initially obese.

Learn more about Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

SOURCE: Peeters, et al. Changes in Abdominal Obesity and Age-Related Macular Degeneration: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, Arch Ophthalmol. 2008;126(11):1554-1560