How to Lower Eye Pressure With Exercise

High eye pressure has been linked to the progression of glaucoma. Fluid in the eyeball drains out through the front of the eye. In the case of glaucoma, the fluid is blocked, backing up and increasing blood pressure in the eye nerve at the back of the eye. Nerve damage and vision reduction result. Fortunately, studies have found exercise reduces such eye pressure. Typical results are a reduction of 20 percent of intraocular pressure after three months of exercise. This translates into a 10 percent reduction in the risk of glaucoma progression.

Instructions

• 1

  See your ophthalmologist to determine a baseline for your intraocular pressure before starting your exercise program. Discuss your plan to start an exercise program with your doctor.

• 2

  Ask your ophthalmologist if you have a type of glaucoma that is amenable to exercise. This is very important because some types of glaucoma (e.g. pigmentary glaucoma) respond to exercise with an increase in intraocular pressure instead of a reduction.

• 3

  Ask your ophthalmologist if you should see your general practitioner to determine whether it is safe to start an exercise program. Keep in mind that even walking constitutes sufficient exercise, and therefore such a consultation may be superfluous.

• 4

  Exercise four times a week for a duration of 40 minutes each time. Even light exercise, such as walking, is very helpful.

• 5

  Don't allow more than two weeks to pass without exercise, or the pressure reduction you have worked hard to gain will be lost.