Obesity’s Hidden Toll: Excess Weight and Diet Pills Can Cause Permanent Blindness

WISE NEWS PRESS / ANKARA, TURKEY — DEC 16, 2025

Obesity is widely recognized as a major cause of heart disease, diabetes, and joint problems, but experts are now sounding the alarm on a less discussed but equally devastating consequence: permanent blindness. The Turkish Ophthalmological Association (TOD) has issued a warning that obesity poses serious risks to eye health, particularly through increased intracranial pressure.

Prof. Dr. Feyza Önder, Head of the Neuro-Ophthalmology Unit Executive Board of TOD, highlighted that "intracranial hypertension syndromes," often seen in overweight women aged 20–40, can compress the optic nerve over time, leading to irreversible vision loss.

The Silent Threat to the Optic Nerve

Prof. Dr. Önder explained that the condition progresses insidiously. The increase in intracranial pressure due to weight gain eventually exerts dangerous force on the eye's nerve fibers.

"Patients usually consult a neurologist first because of severe headaches," Dr. Önder noted. "They often reach the ophthalmologist only after being referred by neurologists. Since early diagnosis is critical in this process, no time should be lost."

Weight Loss is the Only Permanent Cure

Emphasizing that a preventive health approach is essential, Dr. Önder stated that the primary goal of treatment is weight loss. While medication can be used for a short time to reduce pressure on the optic nerve, it does not provide a long-term solution.

"We aim for weight loss through programs conducted by dietitians and physical therapy specialists," Dr. Önder said. "The main goal is permanent weight loss. If weight cannot be lost and the disease progresses, surgical treatments come to the agenda. We strongly recommend that patients struggling with weight, especially those suffering from headaches, undergo eye examinations."

Warning: Diet Pills May Cause Blindness

Dr. Önder also drew attention to the dangers of recently popularized weight loss drugs, warning that cutting corners could cost patients their sight.

"There are studies showing that some drugs used for weight loss disrupt the circulation of the optic nerve, creating serious conditions that can lead to blindness," Dr. Önder warned. "Therefore, such drugs should not be resorted to before diet and movement-based programs are completed."

She urged patients to consult their physicians before taking any weight loss medication. "Combating obesity is vital not only for heart and joint health but also for eye health," she concluded.

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