Did you squint to read this headline or sentence? When was the last time you ran on a treadmill or swam a few laps in a pool? Well, studies shared by Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, American Academy of Ophthalmology, and others have shown that physical exercise can have several positive effects on the health of your eyes. That’s right! Doing 30 minutes of moderate exercise at least three times per week can, directly and indirectly, improve vision problems.
Here are three unexpected ways physical exercise improves your vision.
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases which result in damage to the optic nerve and vision loss. In October 2011, Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science published a study by Dr. Paul Foster which displayed a link between moderate exercise and ocular perfusion pressure. This pressure is found to be a major reason for developing glaucoma. Over a 15-year period, the study’s participants who regularly did moderate physical exercise were 25% less likely to develop this disease.
Oxidative stress is a critical factor in the development of ocular diseases. In September 2015, The International Journal of Molecular Sciences reported that running on the treadmill reversed the morphological changes in the retinas of naturally-aged mice. For humans, the damage caused by oxidative stress can be the starting cause of age-related retinal damage.
This metabolic disorder which causes high blood sugar can cause bodily damage. Diabetes impairs your vision – and can even result in complete blindness by negatively impacting the blood vessels in our retinas. The good news is that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that about 90% of diabetes-related vision loss can be prevented. Simply incorporating regular exercise and other healthy habits into your lifestyle can help preserve our vision.
Are you suffering from – or worried about – cataracts, glaucoma, or diabetes? Maybe it is time to start moving your body. We know that a sedentary lifestyle – sitting in a cubicle or lounging at home all day – increases our risk for chronic diseases which in turn can diminish our vision. When you prioritize exercise, you are also positively influencing your eyesight. Exercising and healthy eating cannot guarantee 20/20 vision for your entire life. However, they are the best ways for preventing sight-threatening conditions
For good measure, practice scheduling annual appointments with your optometrist to ensure you always have the right glasses or contact lens prescription. Punzal Vision is here for all of your eye care and eyewear needs – because we want to SEE you live a healthy life!
We look forward to SEEing you soon!
