Objective:

To clarify the association between physical activity and the risk of cataract and age-related macular degeneration through a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies, including retrospective and prospective designs.

Approach:

Key Findings:

• Mixed results were found regarding the association between physical activity and cataract risk, with some studies showing inverse associations, while others did not provide significant evidence.
• Age-related macular degeneration studies also yielded mixed results, with some showing significant inverse associations and others reporting no significant associations.

Interpretation:

The inconsistency in findings suggests that while physical activity may have protective effects against cataract and age-related macular degeneration, the evidence is not conclusive, highlighting the need for further investigation into the mechanisms involved.

Limitations:

• Variability in study designs and populations may affect the generalizability of results, particularly in terms of demographic diversity and study methodologies.
• Some studies may have lacked sufficient statistical power to detect associations, potentially leading to false negatives.

Conclusion:

Further research is needed to clarify the relationship between physical activity and the risk of cataract and age-related macular degeneration, considering the mixed evidence from existing studies and focusing on larger, more diverse populations.

Source

Based on findings from:

The Association Between Physical Activity and the Incidence of Cataract and Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies

Dagfinn Aune, Ahmad Jayedi, Asma Kazemi, Sepideh Soltani, Fatemeh Rezaei, Michael F. Leitzmann. Bmc Ophthalmology, 2026.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12886-026-04721-z

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This content is an AI-generated, fully rewritten summary based on a published scholarly article. It does not reproduce the original text and is not a substitute for the original publication. Readers are encouraged to consult the source for full context, data, and methodology.