Aerobic #exercise can lower your risk of #glaucoma by lowering #bloodpressure as well as eye pressure. via @MedStarWHC
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There are many forms of aerobic exercise. Just a few examples include:
- Going for a walk
- Jogging on a treadmill or outside
- Riding a bike (stationary or outdoor)
- Swimming
- Taking a Zumba class
- Using an elliptical machine
The key is to find activities you enjoy and that you’ll stick with. This increases the likelihood that you’ll keep exercising over the long term and continue to get the benefits.
Exercises that can raise the risk of glaucoma
Not every form of exercise is good for the eyes, however. Exercise that involves straining or bearing down (anaerobic exercise) has the exact opposite effect. People who engage in anaerobic exercise may hold their breath temporarily while they’re straining, and this too can raise eye pressure and further increase the risk of developing glaucoma or worsening vision loss in people who have the disease.
Examples of anaerobic exercise can include:
- Situps and pullups
- Sprinting while running, biking or swimming
- Weightlifting, particularly powerlifting and bench presses
Other types of exercise can raise the pressure inside the eyes as well, including inverted situps, crunches and squats. Many of these are done on an inversion table, which rotates the legs above the head, increasing eye pressure. Several yoga poses also incorporate inversion, such as:
- Dolphin pose
- Downward-facing dog pose
- Forearm balance
- Handstands, headstands and shoulderstands
- Wall T-stands
Tips for reducing your eye pressure and glaucoma risk
For someone with only mild risk of glaucoma, a round of situps or the occasional yoga inversion isn’t something to be terribly concerned about. But for someone at higher risk or who’s been diagnosed with glaucoma, it’s worth taking some steps to reduce eye pressure and avoid unnecessary risks.
There are plenty of exercises available in many disciplines that avoid this increased risk. Particularly for those in yoga classes, I encourage people who have glaucoma to ask their instructors or fitness professionals about possible alternatives to inverted exercises.
Exercise is important across the board for developing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. And while it might not be obvious, the eyes benefit from regular exercise just like every other part of the body. If you’re at risk for glaucoma, the right kind of exercise can be an important part of managing that risk over the long term.
