We all know that eating a healthy diet is essential for eye health, but did you know that physical fitness also plays a vital role in maintaining healthy eyesight? Regular exercise and physical activity have been shown to improve blood flow to the eyes, reduce the risk of various eye diseases, and even improve vision! So let’s dust off that New Year’s resolution and jump into how physical fitness plays a role in eye health.

Exercise Improves Blood Flow to the Eyes

Research has shown that regular exercise can improve blood flow to the eyes, which is essential for maintaining healthy eyesight. A study published in the Journal of Glaucoma found that moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking, can significantly improve ocular blood flow. The researchers also noted that regular daily exercise may help reduce the risk of developing glaucoma, a common eye disease that can lead to vision loss.

Physical Fitness Reduces the Risk of Eye Diseases

Regular exercise can help to reduce the risk of developing common eye diseases such as cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). According to the National Eye Institute, people who engage in regular physical activity have a lower risk of developing these diseases than those who are sedentary. The institute recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week to reduce the risk of these eye diseases.

Improve Vision Through Exercise

Finally, regular exercise has been shown to improve vision in some cases. A study published in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity found that older adults who engaged in regular physical activity had better visual acuity and contrast sensitivity than those who were sedentary. The researchers suggested that this improvement in vision may be because of the increased blood flow to the eyes that comes with exercise.

So, if you want to keep your eyes healthy, make sure to incorporate regular physical activity into your daily routine. Whether it’s brisk walking, jogging, hiking, strength training, swimming, yoga, Tai Chi, or karate—any form of daily exercise can be beneficial for your eyes and overall health. The most important thing is to move your body and get the blood flowing!