You're using an outdated browser. Please upgrade to a modern browser for the best experience.
Please note this is an old version of this entry, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
The human eye is a complex organ that is prone to visual impairment from both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. While some lifestyle choices, such as smoking, can negatively influence the eye’s visual system, others can have a positive impact. For instance, a healthy diet that includes nutrients such as lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin can have a beneficial effect on macular health. Similarly, exercise can have a beneficial effect not only on general health and wellbeing but also on ocular health. This article will provide an overview of the link between modifiable risk factors such as diet, exercise, psychological stress and others on ocular diseases including dry eye disease, age-related macular degeneration, myopia, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. It will also evaluate whether there is a need to raise awareness amongst the general population on how simple lifestyle changes can improve ocular health.
- diet
- exercise
- ocular nutrition
- ocular health
- modifiable lifestyle factors
- mental health
Globally, cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are leading causes of visual impairment [1][2]. The development and progression of these conditions is influenced by different external factors, including those which can be modified by the patient themselves such as by improving their diet, leading a less sedentary lifestyle, decreasing exposure to poor air quality environments and so on. These are relatively simple and low-cost changes that a patient can make in order to improve their general as well as ocular wellbeing and could help to reduce the global economic burden of these progressive diseases.
While the general public may have an awareness of the link between these modifiable lifestyle factors and their general health, they may be less aware of the effect on their eye health. This article will explore the influence of nutrition, exercise, smoking, air pollution and psychological stress on ocular health (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Five key modifiable lifestyle changes that may influence ocular health.
This entry is adapted from the peer-reviewed paper 10.3390/encyclopedia5040159
References
- Flaxman, S.R.; Bourne, R.R.; Resnikoff, S.; Ackland, P.; Braithwaite, T.; Cicinelli, M.V.; Das, A.; Jonas, J.B.; Keeffe, J.; Kempen, J.H.; et al. Global causes of blindness and distance vision impairment 1990–2020: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Glob. Health 2017, 5, e1221–e1234.
- Steinmetz, J.D.; Bourne, R.R.; Briant, P.S.; Flaxman, S.R.; Taylor, H.R.; Jonas, J.B.; Abdoli, A.A.; Abrha, W.A.; Abualhasan, A.; Abu-Gharbieh, E.G.; et al. Causes of blindness and vision impairment in 2020 and trends over 30 years, and prevalence of avoidable blindness in relation to VISION 2020: The Right to Sight: An analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study. Lancet Glob. Health 2021, 9, e144–e160.
This entry is offline, you can click here to edit this entry!