exercise and eye health
Regular exercise not only helps trim your waistline and boost your mood, but emerging research from a small study involving mice suggests it may also protect against eye damage.
While it remains uncertain if these findings apply to humans, some researchers are cautiously optimistic, as the results align with previous studies highlighting the positive effects of exercise on eye health.
"The new research is thrilling because it reinforces earlier findings that link physical activity to the prevention of age-related macular degeneration (AMD)," stated ophthalmologist and Academy spokesperson J. Kevin McKinney, MD, MPH.
Previous human studies have indicated that exercise could play a role in preventing severe eye diseases like AMD. The current study is particularly noteworthy because it directly investigates the impact of physical activity on cells and tissues in the eyes of mice, rather than relying on self-reported exercise data.
Exercise may encourage the growth of healthy blood vessels in the eye. Researchers examined two groups of six mice: one group had access to an exercise wheel, while the other group did not. After four weeks, the researchers used lasers to simulate the changes associated with age-related vision loss in humans. The results showed that the physically active mice experienced up to 45% less eye damage compared to their inactive counterparts.
This study indicates that exercise might help prevent the excessive growth of blood vessels linked to conditions such as AMD.
Ongoing research aims to uncover how exercise benefits human eye health, potentially leading to new treatments for various eye conditions.
For individuals already dealing with eye diseases, regular exercise may assist in managing their conditions more effectively. One study revealed that those who engaged in moderate physical activity were less likely to develop glaucoma compared to inactive individuals. Furthermore, exercise can aid people with diabetes in controlling their condition, reducing the risk of complications like diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of vision loss among working-age adults.
How much exercise is recommended? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and the American Heart Association suggest aiming for 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise each week. This translates to about 30 minutes a day for five days a week, which can include activities like walking, cycling, swimming, dancing, and even active gardening. Consistent physical activity is essential for maintaining overall health, including eye health.
American Academy of Ophthalmology. (2025, July 28). Exercise may slow or prevent eye disease, study finds. Retrieved from https://www.aao.org/eye-health/news/exercise-may-slow-prevent-eye-disease-study-finds
