Exercise and Obesity

Obesity has been connected to high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease—both of which are risk factors for glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and AMD.  Overweight individuals also tend to have a higher risk of cataract.

Exercise—enough to sweat, three times a week—reduces the likelihood of developing AMD (70% for people 43-86).  This may be because physical activity can reduce factors associated with AMD (body mass index, white blood cell count, blood pressure).

Separately, high blood pressure has been linked to wet AMD and can lead to progression of diabetic retinopathy.

While studies have shown that exercise has a positive effect on lowering intraocular pressure associated with glaucoma, as well as lowering blood pressure, no clear evidence links increased exercise to reduced progression or onset of glaucoma.