13 Dec Vitamin Deficiency After Bariatric Surgery Can Lead To Eye Complications

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Rui Azevedo Guerreiro
Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central
Portugal

Medical Research: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Response: This article aims to summarise the current state of understanding on the possible ophthalmic complications that can occur after a bariatric surgery. The main finding of this review article is that ophthalmic complications after bariatric surgeries are more frequent that we could thought initially, especially in patients not adherent to their vitamin supplements. In one study, the percentage of patients with vitamin A deficiency 4 years after the surgery reached up to 69%.

Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Response: In my opinion, clinicians should be more aware of possible ophthalmic complication that can occur to their bariatric patients, so they can prevent them or detect them soon enough to be treated. On the other hand, patients should have in mind that vitamin supplements, in certain bariatric surgeries more than others, should be taken during the entire life and cannot be stopped without medical supervision.

Medical Research: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: Although it was possible to find some small studies regarding ophthalmic complications in bariatric patients, more studies should be done to know the real prevalence of these complications and to better tailor vitamin supplements to prevent them.

Citation:

Ophthalmic Complications of Bariatric Surgery,
Reference: Azevedo Guerreiro, R. & Ribeiro, R. (2014). Ophthalmic Complications of Bariatric Surgery,

Obesity Surgery, DOI 10.1007/s11695‐014‐1472‐y

Last Updated on December 13, 2014 by Marie Benz MD FAAD