Research conducted by British experts reveals that children diagnosed with amblyopia, or ‘lazy eye’, may face a higher likelihood of developing conditions like diabetes and heart disease in adulthood, underscoring the importance of early vision screening.
A recent study analyzing data from over 126,000 UK adults has indicated that individuals who were diagnosed with amblyopia, commonly known as “lazy eye,” during childhood may have an increased risk of developing serious health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity later in life. The research, published in the journal eClinicalMedicine, was conducted by a team including Professor Jugnoo Rahi from the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Great Ormond Street Hospital. While the study does not establish a direct causal link between amblyopia and these health issues, it emphasizes the potential long-term impact of this childhood vision disorder, which affects up to 4% of children globally.
In light of these findings, experts have highlighted the critical need for early vision screening and regular eye tests, particularly for children. Both Dr. Siegfried Wagner from the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Hospital and Poonam Patel from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) stressed the significance of detecting and treating conditions like amblyopia early to minimize long-term consequences on vision and overall health.
In a separate development, a new genetic test developed by the University of Exeter and diagnostics company Randox has been launched in the UK, aiming to predict the risk of type 1 diabetes. Priced at £69 for an at-home testing kit, the test identifies up to 10 genetic variants associated with the disease. This innovation, which calculates a genetic risk score from blood samples, opens up the possibility of early diagnosis and preemptive treatment. Although a specific treatment, teplizumab, is referenced for pre-diagnosis interventions, it is noted that this medication is not yet approved in the UK. The test is seen as a potential “game-changer” by Dr. Peter FitzGerald, MD of Randox, and has garnered attention for its ability to prioritize individuals at high risk, possibly transforming diabetes care in the country. Researchers and health experts are advocating for this test to be recognized by the NHS and considered for broader population screening to enhance the effectiveness of future diabetes treatments and management strategies.
