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Exercise Can Safely Lower Eye Pressure
For those suffering from glaucoma, eye pressure is a major concern. Because the fluids in your eye don’t drain normally, intraocular (inside the eye) pressure can build up and cause damage to the optic nerve.
One way to combat this buildup is through exercise, so if you’re looking to get 2012 off to a healthy start, this is one more good reason to do so! Any kind of aerobic exercise, such as walking, jogging or biking raises your heart rate at least 20 percent and also lowers intraocular pressure.
And you don’t have to go all out, either — just do enough to get that blood pumping! But be cautious of yoga or other exercise that involves putting your head down for any length of time, as that can cause pressure to build.
It’s important to stick to your exercise regimen, because lower eye pressure won’t be achieved by a “hit or miss” effort. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, people who exercised regularly for three months achieved lower eye pressure, so it doesn’t take long to get results.
So try to get moving for at least 20 minutes four times a week. Not only will you help your eyes out, but you’ll also do wonders for your blood pressure and waistline!