Exercising for Eye Health

There’s no doubt that exercise will benefit your overall health. Staying active can prevent a myriad of illnesses and diseases. It can ward off obesity, heart disease, arthritis, help lower blood sugar levels in diabetics and lower your risk of back pain.

Did you know that exercising regularly can also directly impact your eye health? Exercise is a crucial part of maintaining good vision throughout your life. Not only will frequent exercise keep you fit, but it will also keep your vision health in check.

Studies have shown that people who exercise regularly will lower their risk of developing age-related disease in their old age.

An eye-healthy diet and active lifestyle are essential for maintaining healthy eyes. Here’s how exercising can boost eye health.

High-Intensity Cardio to Fight Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a common eye disease that is caused by high fluid pressure in the eye. It is very common among people above the age of 60. It is a leading cause of blindness around the world, second only to cataracts.

As the intraocular pressure rises, it slowly damages the optic nerve. The optic nerve is the part of the eye that sends impulses from the eye to the brain to make out coherent images. When the optic nerve becomes damaged, the damage is irreversible.

There is no treatment for glaucoma. The best treatment is prevention. That’s where exercise comes in.

According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, exercise can significantly lower eye pressure. Performing your favorite cardio routine three to four times a week may be all that you need to prevent glaucoma. Why not try out Zumba, go for a swim, or maybe even take a brisk jog on a nice day? Your future self will thank you.

However, it’s also to remember that exercise can be risky. When exercising, always exercise caution. Listen to your body.

Never start at a high intensity whether you are distance running, cycling, dancing, or using the elliptical. Start slow and work your way up to a high-intensity routine.

That being said, high-intensity cardio can pose a danger to your eyes if you already have glaucoma. A workout routine that is too intense may actually worsen the pressure in the eye. If you have glaucoma, stick to low-intensity activities such as speed walking.

Moderate Walks for Cataracts

Walking is an exercise almost anyone can do without leaving their neighborhood. It’s also excellent for eye health.

Cataracts are another age-related disease that will affect almost all people by the time they turn 80. It is a debilitating disease that can cause low vision and total blindness. People living with cataracts often find themselves becoming dependent on others and losing their independence.

Cataracts form when protein begins to build up on the lens of the eye. When this happens, it begins to cloud a person’s vision. Cataracts become visible in the pupil of the eye. You’ll notice a gray clouding over the black part of the eye. As the disease progresses, the gray cloud will spread over the iris (colored part of the eye).

There is no cure for cataracts. Currently, they can be treated by sticking to a special diet. Otherwise, surgery is also an option, but it is incredibly invasive and may require a complete lens transplant. In many cases, patients have developed cataracts on their new lenses soon after the surgery.

In the same vein as glaucoma, the best way to treat cataracts is to prevent them from ever forming. There are several ways to do this through diet alone, but regular exercise may also decrease your risk.

Studies suggest that there is a direct link between moderate walks and vigorous running to lowered cataract risks. Why does cardio lower your risk of cataracts? The answer to this is still unknown. We need more research to fully understand the link.

For now, we have to go off of what information we have. We can say for sure that walking and running can lower your risk of developing cataracts.

Exercising for Eye Health and Other Eye Diseases

Age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy are two other diseases that may also be prevented through exercise. The link between these diseases and exercise is not as strong as it is with glaucoma and cataracts.

Scientists still need to do more research on the topic and conduct more human trials. However, researchers are confident that exercise can contribute to preventing these diseases.

Exercising keeps your body younger for longer. It would only make sense that frequent exercise should slow down the process of age-related macular degeneration. The cells in your eyes will be stronger and healthier if you exercise.

As for diabetic retinopathy, exercise helps regulate blood sugar levels. When a diabetic’s blood sugar levels are in check, they reduce their risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. This is an eye disease that is directly linked to unregulated and high blood sugar levels.

The links between exercising and these two eye diseases are not as direct as it is for glaucoma and cataracts. However, this doesn’t mean that exercising won’t help to prevent these two debilitating diseases as you age.

The next time you make excuses to not go to the gym, remember that you have to exercise for your own greater good. Exercise shouldn’t be about how it makes you physically look.

Exercise is about how it makes you feel. Leading an active lifestyle will be more rewarding in the long run. And incorporating the right vitamins and nutrients into your daily diet will add to the awesome benefits. You’ll find that you have more energy and you’ll feel healthier. On top of that, you’ll also work out knowing that you’re doing a lot of good for your vision health.

Remember to make yearly appointments with your eye doctor for a full eye health assessment. A comprehensive eye exam will find diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. The more proactive you are now, the better off you’ll be later in life. Exercise, eat right, and enjoy better vision for life.