Sharp Weight Loss from Childhood to Adulthood May Raise Glaucoma Risk: Study Shows

The research, led by Jianqi Chen and colleagues from the State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology at Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, analysed data from 467,768 participants in the UK Biobank to explore how body size changes from childhood to adulthood influence glaucoma risk.

In the study, childhood body size was categorised as low, average, or high based on self-reported comparisons with peers, while adult body size was determined using BMI-adjusted models. Nine distinct growth patterns from early life to adulthood were identified, and their relationship with POAG incidence was examined using Cox proportional hazards models.

The following were the notable findings of the study:

• Individuals with low adult body size, regardless of childhood size, had a higher likelihood of developing POAG than those with an average body size throughout life.
• Persistently low body size or a shift from average to low body size was associated with a 35% greater risk of POAG.
• Transitioning from high to low body size was linked to a 49% increased risk compared to those with average size in both stages.
• High adult body size was associated with a 14% lower risk of POAG compared to average adult body size.
• High childhood body size was slightly linked to an increased risk of POAG.
• Among individuals with low childhood body size, gaining weight to reach an average adult size was associated with a 21% reduction in POAG risk.
• Among individuals with low childhood body size, gaining weight to reach a high adult size reduced POAG risk by 42%.
• Participants with high childhood body size who lost substantial weight to reach a low adult size had a 66% higher risk of POAG.
• Moderate weight loss from high childhood size did not significantly affect POAG risk.

The authors emphasised that low adult body size consistently emerged as a risk factor for POAG, highlighting the importance of avoiding drastic and sustained weight loss, particularly from childhood to adulthood. They pointed out that while weight management is crucial for overall health, the potential impact of body size changes on eye health should not be overlooked.

Since POAG often progresses silently until advanced stages, identifying modifiable risk factors is vital for prevention. The findings suggest that maintaining a stable and healthy body size over the life course could be an important factor in reducing glaucoma risk. By recognising that early-life growth patterns may shape future disease susceptibility, healthcare providers could develop targeted interventions aimed at preserving both systemic and ocular health.

Reference:

Chen, J., Ling, Y., Zhu, Y., Li, Z., Ge, D., Cai, R., Deng, F., Huang, S., Zhuo, Y., & Lei, L. (2025). Early Life Body Size Trajectory and the Risk of Primary Open-angle Glaucoma: A Retrospective Cohort Study. American Journal of Ophthalmology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2025.07.039