Exercise is Good For your Eyes – Here’s How!
We exercise for many reasons. Building strength, improving health and overall feeling good are all great reasons for getting active. Maintaining a healthy activity level can help treat and prevent many chronic health concerns such as heart problems, high blood pressure and even type 2 diabetes. But did you know that exercising is also good for your eyes? Read on to learn just how staying active can help you maintain good eye health!
Healthy eyesight starts with a healthy body
Just like many other parts of your body like your heart, brain and lungs, your eyes are affected by how well you take care of your body. And since many eye diseases are linked to other health issues, regular exercise can help prevent against potential eye health problems.
For example, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes can lead to problems with your eye sight. Focusing on treating these concerns by adjusting your exercise routines can help prevent eye problems from occurring and limit their impact if they do.
Are you thinking of taking charge of your health? Now is the time! If you’re in Oakville, Burlington or Milton and would like an eye exam, contact Envision Eye Care today!
Benefits of exercising for common eye conditions
Common eye disorders can be improved with a healthy lifestyle including regular exercise!
Wet Age-related Macular Degeneration
In a study performed on around 4000 men and women, researchers followed participants for 15 years tracking how their activity level impacted their eyesight. One in four participants maintained an active lifestyle and exercised 3 or more times per week. Every five years the participants’ eyes were examined for changes. The results showed that those who were in the group that exercised regularly were 70% less likely to develop a disease called age-related macular degeneration (AMD) than those who didn’t have an active lifestyle. AMD is a significant cause of loss of vision in adults over 60 and lowering your blood pressure through diet and exercise can help slow progress of this disease, as shown in this study.
Glaucoma
This happens when a lack of blood supply to the eye damages the optic nerve. Exercising as little as going for a walk 3 times a week can help lower the pressure within the eye and improve blood flow to the optic nerve and retina. It’s important to note though that in order to see benefits from exercise on this issue, you must continue your program. Once you stop exercising, the pressure within your eye will return to the levels it was previously.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic Retinopathy is a common complication from diabetes. This disease can lead to significant vision loss; however, a program of proper diet and exercise can help manage diabetes, which in turn will help keep vision loss at bay.
Exercise tips for improving eye health
Finding time to exercise might seem intimidating if it’s not something you already do. But you don’t have to become a body builder or devote hours of each day to working out to see the positive effects. Activities as simple as going for a walk or light jog, taking up yoga, climbing stairs and even dancing two to three times per week can significantly decrease the risks of developing eye-related conditions.
Get regular eye exams
Scheduling regular eye exams can help diagnose and prevent possible life altering eye issues. Talk to your eye doctor about how often you should see them. If you have a family history of eye disease or certain risk factors, they may suggest you visit more often than the recommended every 2 years.
Healthy Living = Healthy Bodies & Eyes!
Working out regularly doesn’t suddenly mean you won’t need glasses anymore, but a healthy lifestyle including good eating habits and exercising regularly will be your best defense against developing these life- and vision-altering chronic conditions. Adding 30 min of light exercise 3 times per week to your routine can have a significant impact on the overall health of your eyes.