Reduction of intraocular pressure after bariatric surgery

Abstract

In a cohort of obese individuals undergoing sleeve gastrectomy, there was a significant decrease in IOP measured 3-6 months after the procedure. Our results suggest that significant weight loss could have beneficial effects on IOP in obese individuals with ocular hypertension which might enable avoidance of antiglaucoma medications. The high likelihood of a reduction in IOP should be taken into account when considering bariatric surgery in such patients.

Short-term effect of weight loss after bariatric surgery on IOP, RNFL thickness, and the optic nerve head blood flow measured by OCTA

“…Studies done by Viljanen et al 9 as well as Burgansky-Eliash et al 4 on the effect of bariatric surgery on the IOP showed similar results, however, they were at 6 months postoperatively.…”

“…The excessive intraorbital adipose tissue, increased episcleral venous pressure, and impairment in aqueous outflow facility may have exerted mechanical effect on the IOP in obese patients that got relieved after significant weight reduction. 8 Studies done by Viljanen et al 9 as well as Burgansky-Eliash et al 4 on the effect of bariatric surgery on the IOP showed similar results, however, they were at 6 months postoperatively.…”

“…The weight reduction after bariatric surgery has a good impact on obesity-related comorbidities as well as the eye health problems. 4…”

“…3 The weight reduction after bariatric surgery has a good impact on obesity-related comorbidities as well as the eye health problems. 4 Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a simple non-invasive technology allowing visualization of details, assessing and detecting quantitatively any abnormalities in the retinal microvasculature, 5 thus making it feasible to figure out any correlation between the microvascular perfusion and the weight loss ocular effect post bariatric surgery.…”

Ophthalmologic evaluation of severely obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery: A pilot, monocentric, prospective, open-label study

“…Burgansky-Eliash [19] and Çekic [20] suggested the possibility that reduction of blood pressure after sleeve gastrectomy in obese patients may be associated with a reduction of IOP and a better retrobulbar blood flow. Increased risk for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in obese subjects has been reported [21] and beside the increase of IOP, several others may be the mechanisms of damage involved: trabecular meshwork malfunctioning [22], increased oxidative stress [23], decreased aqueous outflow caused by increased orbital fat [24] and impairment of retrobulbar blood flow [20].…”