Regular Exercise and Your Eye Health

Our eyes are our gateway to the world, but we often take them for granted in that we do not do anything to maintain their health. I know I personally put the annual eye exams off in favor of other things and just simply do not think about the health of my eyes much at all. My vision is terrible without my glasses, but I am stubborn and often never wear them unless I am driving. Well, now we are finding out that if we regularly exercise we are also helping our peepers. In fact, our risk of degenerative eye disease is 70 percent less than those who live a sedentary lifestyle.

What is Degenerative Eye Disease?

It is a catchall term and can refer to a few things, but in this specific instance was referring to age-related macular degeneration. This specific eye condition - among the 50 and older crown - is the number one cause of severe vision loss. This is a big deal and something we absolutely need to address. Age-related macular degeneration is a condition, associated with age, that pretty much destroys our sharp, central vision. We absolutely need our central vision for basic everyday activities, such as driving and reading, and to see objects clearly. There is no physical pain association with this condition, but it can negatively impact quality of life.

What is Regular Exercise?

You are never going to find a solid answer on this because it is highly subjective. The basic answer is at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week. For example, walking at a relatively fast pace for 30 minutes, at least five days per week would generally qualify as regular physical activity. You want to build cardiovascular endurance, so choose a regular exercise plan that allows for this, as long as your health allows for this. If you have a health condition that makes physical activity difficult, talk to your doctor because he or she can probably help you figure out something. It is also a good idea to incorporate strength and flexibility training at least three days per week for total body fitness.

What Else Can I Do for Total Eye Health?

First, eat a well-balanced diet. This will ensure that you are getting the nutrients that your eyes - and total body - need to stay healthy. See your healthcare provider once a year for a full physical. Also, see your eye doctor for that annual eye exam. Your eye doctor is the only one who can fully assess the overall and total health of your eyes.