Obesity and Eye Diseases

Background: Obesity has become a major global public health challenge, affecting individuals across all age groups and contributing to a wide range of systemic disorders. Beyond its well-established associations with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, obesity is increasingly recognized as a chronic inflammatory condition that influences the structure and function of multiple organs, including the eye. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted between November 2025 and June 2026 using PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Priority was given to recent studies evaluating the impact of obesity and obesity-related metabolic disturbances on ocular health. Results: Available evidence indicates that obesity is associated with an increased risk of several ophthalmic conditions, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal vein occlusion. Multiple anthropometric measures of adiposity have been positively associated with diabetic retinopathy risk. Although findings regarding glaucoma remain heterogeneous, metabolic syndrome and its components, particularly impaired glucose metabolism, appear to increase glaucoma susceptibility. Obesity has also been linked to dry eye disease through inflammatory and tear film alterations. Conclusions: Obesity exerts significant effects on ocular health through complex metabolic, inflammatory, and vascular pathways. Recognition of obesity as a modifiable risk factor for eye disease may facilitate earlier detection, targeted prevention strategies, and improved multidisciplinary management. Further longitudinal and mechanistic studies are needed to clarify causal relationships and determine whether effective obesity treatment can reduce the burden of vision-threatening ocular disorders.