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Review
. 2025 Feb 28;26(5):2174.
doi: 10.3390/ijms26052174.

Link Between Metabolic Syndrome, Inflammation, and Eye Diseases

Kamila Pieńczykowska  1 , Anna Bryl  2 , Małgorzata Mrugacz  2
Affiliations
Review

Link Between Metabolic Syndrome, Inflammation, and Eye Diseases

Kamila Pieńczykowska et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome (MetS)-a cluster of conditions including obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance-is increasingly recognized as a key risk factor for the development of various eye diseases. The metabolic dysfunctions associated with this syndrome contribute to vascular and neurodegenerative damage within the eye, influencing disease onset and progression. Understanding these links highlights the importance of early diagnosis and management of metabolic syndrome to prevent vision loss and improve ocular health outcomes. This review explores the intricate interplay between metabolic syndrome, chronic low-grade inflammation, and eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and dry eye syndrome. It highlights how inflammatory mediators, oxidative damage, and metabolic dysregulation converge to compromise ocular structures, including the retina, optic nerve, and ocular surface. We discuss the molecular and cellular mechanisms underpinning these associations and examine evidence from clinical and experimental studies. Given the rising global prevalence of metabolic syndrome, addressing this connection is crucial for improving overall patient outcomes and quality of life. Future research should focus on delineating the precise mechanisms linking these diseases as well as exploring targeted interventions that address both metabolic and ocular health.

Keywords: age-related macular degeneration; diabetic retinopathy; dry eye; glaucoma; inflammation; metabolic syndrome.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Components of metabolic syndrome. Created in BioRender. Pieńczykowska, K. (accessed on 20 February 2025).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Pathways underlying MetS and inflammation. Created in BioRender. Pieńczykowska, K. (accessed on 20 February 2025) ↓ NO—the level of nitric oxide lowers, ↑ ICAM-1—intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (its level elevates), ↑ VCAM-1—vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (its level elevates).
Figure 3
Figure 3
A presentation of connections between metabolic syndrome ocular disorders, highlighting the key cellular and molecular mediators and the area of the eye affected. Created in BioRender. Pieńczykowska, K. (accessed on 20 February 2025).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Eye diseases linked with MetS. Created in BioRender. Pieńczykowska, K. (accessed on 20 February 2025).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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