Exercise For Your Eyes

As you consider how to make this year better than the last, you might add an exercise routine to your list. Not only can this decision give you extra motivation to start off the year, you might find that it can lead to some interesting side effects for your eyes in the long run.

Healthy blood vessels

Exercising routinely can improve your body’s overall blood flow. More specifically, it can help maintain the thin layer of cells in your blood vessels. This is crucial for your eyes, as unhealthy blood vessels in this area can lead to significant retinal disease and damage. As Dr. Wei Huang, a CEENTA ophthalmologist at our Huntersville location, puts it, “Exercise more to see clearer.”

Reduced likelihood of diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is caused by your body becoming resistant to insulin or not having enough insulin produced by the pancreas. Studies have connected being overweight and having a sedentary lifestyle to these causes, and this condition can lead to blurred vision and diabetic retinopathy. Having a consistent exercise schedule can lower your blood glucose levels and make you more sensitive to insulin, meaning that you will be less likely to develop diabetes overall.

Lower chance of cataracts

As you get older, your likelihood of developing cataracts can increase. With physical activities like walking, cycling, and weight training, you can reduce oxidative stress in the eyes that contributes to cell damage and cataracts. Exercise can also help with your “good cholesterol” levels, which help in reducing cataract development.

Greater glaucoma management

Even if you have an eye condition, you can still benefit from daily exercise. For glaucoma patients in particular, moderate physical activity has the potential to improve blood flow to the optic nerve and retina while decreasing intraocular pressure (IOP). However, some exercises should be performed with caution. Strength training and yoga stretches may need to be modified to avoid causing IOP to increase, specifically actions that place your head in a sustained downward position.

Adding an exercise routine to your schedule can be a great way to help maintain your eye health. If you’re looking to go even further with your eye care, schedule your next appointment with CEENTA. From routine eye exams to cataract and LASIK surgery to our extensive optical shops, our team of ophthalmologists across the Carolinas can show you a new, clearer world of vision. Schedule with Dr. Huang at our Huntersville office today to take part in her award-winning eye care services. 

This blog is for informational purposes only. For specific medical questions, please consult your doctor. New patients can make appointments online with our eye doctors in North and South Carolina. Current patients can also make appointments through myCEENTAchart with physicians they have already seen.