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A recent study conducted by researchers at University College London (UCL) suggests that individuals who experienced amblyopia, commonly known as ‘lazy eye’, during childhood are more prone to hypertension, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and an increased risk of heart attacks in adulthood. Published in eClinicalMedicine, the study analyzed data from over 126,000 participants aged 40 to 69 from the UK Biobank cohort who had undergone ocular examination.
Although the research reveals a correlation between childhood amblyopia and adult health issues, the authors emphasize that it does not establish a causal relationship. Participants were surveyed about their childhood amblyopia treatment and current eye condition, as well as medical diagnoses of diabetes, high blood pressure, or cardio/cerebrovascular disease. Additionally, their BMI, blood glucose, cholesterol levels, and mortality rates were tracked.
The findings indicated that individuals who had amblyopia as children had higher odds of developing diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, along with an increased risk of heart attack, even after considering other risk factors. Notably, this heightened risk persisted in participants with 20/20 vision as adults, albeit to a lesser extent.
Professor Jugnoo Rahi, the corresponding author, emphasized the importance of childhood vision screening to ensure early diagnosis and treatment. Amblyopia, characterized by reduced vision in one eye, often goes unnoticed by children and requires prompt intervention. Dr. Siegfried Wagner, the study’s first author, highlighted the link between vision and overall health, emphasizing the importance of vision screening for detecting underlying health conditions.
While the study underscores the importance of early intervention and healthy lifestyles, the researchers caution that not every child with amblyopia will develop cardiometabolic disorders in adulthood. However, they hope that their findings will raise awareness about the long-term health implications of childhood amblyopia and underscore the importance of prioritizing child health initiatives.
The study aligns with recent calls from the Academy of Medical Sciences to address the declining physical and mental health of children in the UK, emphasizing the crucial role of childhood health in shaping adult outcomes. As researchers continue to explore the link between childhood health markers and adult health risks, initiatives aimed at promoting early intervention and healthy lifestyles become increasingly vital in safeguarding long-term health.
