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Reston   (703) 485-2148 Leesburg   (703) 777-1244
Reston   (703) 485-2148 Leesburg   (703) 777-1244



Why Exercise is Crucial for Your Eye Health

exercise for eye healthYou already know that exercise plays a crucial element in staying fit and healthy.  Health experts are always touting the advantages of being physical for at least 30 minutes a day to trim your waistline, keep your energy levels up, and cut down on your risks for certain diseases and cancers.  As it turns out, exercise doesn’t just do a body good…

It’s also crucial for your eye health.

It makes sense: exercise is beneficial for your body’s health as a whole, so it stands to reason that your eyes would also benefit from being more physical.  But how exactly does exercise play a role in keeping your eyes healthy?

Eye Health and the Link to Disease

As it turns out, exercise can have a profound impact on your eye health.  Many eye diseases are directly linked to other health problems.  For example, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol levels have all been shown to increase the risk of eye disease.

Many studies have shown that exercise is key to cutting down your risk of eye disease.  In fact, two recent studies have demonstrated that those who exercise are much less likely to have ocular health problems than those who don’t.  One study found that people who engaged in regular moderate exercise were 25 percent less likely to develop glaucoma than people who were considered to be inactive.

Another study examined the medical history of almost 4,000 people to determine if there was a causal link between macular degeneration (age-related) and leading a sedentary lifestyle.  As it turns out, the link is strong: researchers concluded that people who exercise for at least 30 minutes three times a week were less likely to develop age-related macular degeneration than those who did not.

Staying Active for Eye Health

With the prevalence of office jobs that keep us at our seats, it’s more important than ever to ensure that you stay active.  However, you don’t need to sign up for a marathon to enjoy the benefits of exercise.  Make a commitment to exercise for five minutes every hour.  For example, you can take a walk to the other side of the department or take the stairs at the office.  If you do this throughout the workday, you could clock more than the thirty minutes recommended by health experts.

To learn more about protecting your eye health, visit Dr. Jacqueline Griffiths and her team at New View Eye Center in Reston, VA, also serving the greater Washington, D.C. and Fairfax county area. Just fill out the form in the top left corner or call 703-834-9777.