Can exercise impact your eyes?

Based on research, it appears that inactivity itself is not the direct cause of eye problems, but the problems from health conditions that people can develop from being inactive are often to blame. For example, consider the health condition of type 2 diabetes. People who are inactive are more likely to be overweight or obese, and being overweight is a top risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes.[3] Also, diabetics often have high blood sugar. Having high blood sugar for a long time can lead to retina damage. Diabetics are susceptible to several eye problems. Vision problems are common enough among people with diabetes that all the possible eye conditions are collectively called diabetic eye disease.[4] The conditions included in the diabetic eye disease category are diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, diabetic macular edema, and glaucoma.[4] Each of these conditions can become worse over time and may lead to vision loss. However, proper diabetic eye care may prevent or slow the progression of some conditions. Another possible connection between inactivity and eye health is high blood pressure. People who are inactive are more likely to have muscular atrophy, reduced vascular function, hardened arteries, and hypertension.[5] When you have high blood pressure, it can cause damage to the blood vessels in the retina.[6] As it is with managing diabetes, properly managing high blood pressure can slow or prevent damage. However, people whose blood pressure remains high for a long time are more likely to notice worsening eye damage. The key idea to keep in mind is that inactivity is a risk factor for several serious health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and more. Chronic health problems affect how the body functions, and that means that they can also negatively impact eyesight. Think of exercise as a way to help keep your eyes and the rest of your body healthier. However, activity is not a cure or a sure way to never experience eye problems. Healthy and active people can still develop eye problems due to genetics, accidents, or other factors, but physical activity is a good way to reduce multiple health risks.