Scientists from the University of California found that adults who experienced amblyopia (called lazy eye syndrome) in childhood are more likely to suffer from hypertension, obesity and diabetes. Research results published In EClinical Medicine.
More than 126 thousand people between the ages of 40 and 69 participated in the study. Scientists collected data about the subjects’ health status, measuring their height, weight, blood sugar and cholesterol levels. The researchers also found out whether the volunteers suffered from amblyopia or “lazy eye” syndrome (decreased visual acuity in one or both eyes for no apparent reason) in childhood.
It found that 82.2% of 3,238 participants who reported having amblyopia in childhood experienced permanent vision loss in one eye as an adult. Additionally, volunteers who had previously experienced amblyopia syndrome were 29% and 25% more likely to have diabetes and hypertension, respectively. They were also 16% more likely to have obesity.
Scientists also noted that this type of visual impairment is associated with a higher risk of heart attack.
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