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Ophthalmological Complications After Bariatric Surgery

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Management of Nutritional and Metabolic Complications of Bariatric Surgery

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Abstract

While bariatric surgery confers significant weight reduction and control of metabolic diseases, its effect on diabetic retinopathy (DR) and other eye-related conditions remain a topic of much debate. Studies have shown conflicting results with regards to eye health in general following bariatric surgery, with reports of diabetic retinopathy improvement on one hand versus ophthalmological complications such as early worsening of diabetic retinopathy (EWDR), nyctalopia, xerosis, corneal ulceration, and permanent blindness on the other. Prolonged uncontrolled diabetes, the paradoxical effect of sudden significant reduction of blood glucose in the immediate hours following bariatric surgery, nutritional deficiency, and hypovitaminosis have all been cited as plausible causes for visual impairment in patients having undergone bariatric surgery. Efforts undertaken to identify and prevent deterioration of sight following bariatric surgery should be a concerted one with the involvement of ophthalmologist as part of the multidisciplinary team especially in patients with underlying metabolic syndrome or known ocular problems. It is equally imperative that emphasis is placed on patient education as well to reduce the risk of ophthalmic complications that could arise due to lack of compliance to follow-up or non-adherence to vitamin supplementation following surgery.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan

    Wee-Min Teh

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Melaka, Melaka, Malaysia

    Wee-Min Teh

  3. Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

    Pek-Hwi Tan

  4. Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC), The National University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Reynu Rajan

Authors
  1. Wee-Min Teh
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  2. Pek-Hwi Tan
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  3. Reynu Rajan
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Bariatric and Laparoscopic Surgery, Global Hospital, Mumbai, India

    Aparna Govil Bhasker

  2. Bhatia Hospital, Mumbai, India

    Nimisha Kantharia

  3. Belle Vue Clinic, Kolkata, India

    Sarfaraz Baig

  4. Belle Vue Clinic, Kolkata, India

    Pallawi Priya

  5. Dr. Aparna’s - Laparoscopy & Bariatric Surgery Centre, Currae Specialty Hospital, Mumbai, India

    Mariam Lakdawala

  6. Dr. Aparna’s - Laparoscopy & Bariatric Surgery Centre, Sterling hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

    Miloni Shah Sancheti

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Teh, WM., Tan, PH., Rajan, R. (2021). Ophthalmological Complications After Bariatric Surgery. In: Bhasker, A.G., Kantharia, N., Baig, S., Priya, P., Lakdawala, M., Sancheti, M.S. (eds) Management of Nutritional and Metabolic Complications of Bariatric Surgery. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-4702-1_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-4702-1_17

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-33-4701-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-33-4702-1

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