Glaucoma, a leading cause of vision loss, is a group of eye diseases that can damage the optic nerve, located in the back of the eye. The most common type of the condition, primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), occurs “when the eye’s drainage canals become clogged over time.” When the correct amount of fluid cannot drain from the eye, the inner eye pressure (known as intraocular pressure or IOP) rises, which causes damage over time. Raised IOP “is the most important risk factor for the disease.” A review of the literature, published in the Journal of Glaucoma, revealed that some types of exercise and physical activity result in “transient reductions” to IOP and “may have a beneficial effect on glaucoma severity and progression.” The literature reviewed found variations in the effects of exercise. For example, moderate exercise can result in temporary reductions in IOP, while high-intensity exercise, such as weight-lifting, can lead to temporary elevations of IOP. Evidence has also shown that Increased regular physical activity can protect against the development of glaucoma as well as lessen visual field loss in people with glaucoma. The review suggested that while “exercise may be a beneficial lifestyle modification” in managing glaucoma, “further longitudinal studies are required to validate this.” For additional information, including references to studies conducted on the topic, read the Journal of Glaucoma article on The Effect of Exercise on Intraocular Pressure and Glaucoma. To learn more about the eye disease, read the National Eye Institute (NEI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) webpages on Glaucoma: At a Glance and Types of Glaucoma. Another informative source is the Glaucoma Research Foundation webpage on Open-Angle Glaucoma.
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