Supporting data for: Risk factors common to leading eye health conditions and major non-communicable diseases: A rapid review and commentary

Background: To gain an understanding of the intersection of risk factors
between the most prevalent eye health conditions that are associated with
vision impairment and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Methods: A series
of rapid reviews of reviews reporting on non-modifiable risk factors, age
and sex, and modifiable risk factors, including social determinants, were
conducted for five common eye health conditions that are the leading
causes of vision impairment globally (refractive error including
uncorrected refractive error, cataract, age-related macular degeneration
(AMD), glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy) and five prevalent NCDs
(cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, dementia,
and depressive disorders). Results: Eye health conditions and NCDs share
many risk factors. Increased age was found to be the most common shared
risk factor, associated with increased risks of AMD, cataract, diabetic
retinopathy, glaucoma, refractive error, cancer, cardiovascular disease,
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and dementia. Other shared risk
factors included smoking, obesity, alcohol consumption (mixed results),
and physical activity was protective, though limited evidence was found
for eye conditions. Social determinants are well documented as risk
factors for NCDs. Conclusion: There is substantial overlap in common
established risk factors for the most frequent vision-impairing eye
conditions and leading NCDs. Increasing efforts should be made to
integrate preventative and risk reduction interventions to improve health,
with the greatest shared benefits for initiatives that aim to reduce
smoking, improve diet, and promote physical activity.