Practicing regular physical activity is a precept we all hear. Whether on television, on the brochures in the waiting room of his general practitioner... But have we really realized its importance? And above all, of The impact of sport on vision health ? Yes, studies suggest that regular sports activity would preserve your eyesight. So what is the real situation? We explain to you.

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The link between sport and vision health

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In May 2020, researchers from the University of Virginia in the United States were able to highlight the existing correlation between sport and visual health. Thanks to their first experiments on mice, they demonstrate that regular physical activity can reduce the risk of developing eye diseases.

Practicing a sport would therefore be good from every point of view. Much to the dismay of one of the researchers, Bradley Gelfand, Ph.D., who admits that he conducted this study in the hope of determining that it was possible to maintain good visual health without the need for sport. Missed!

However, the researchers hope to obtain funding in order to be able to advance in their research and to find a solution to develop a method or a drug capable of bringing the benefits of sport without actually doing so.

The idea behind it is to be able to allow elderly people or people whose eyesight is deteriorating to be able to benefit from its advantages. Indeed, the older we get or the more our eyesight decreases, the less obvious it is to start playing a sport or at least to maintain physical activity.

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The benefits of sport on vision

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By engaging in regular physical activity, you allow your eyes to keep the development of eye diseases at bay. But what are the real reasons for this?

According to a study by the University of Virginia, doing sports improves bloodstream and to get a better oxygenation ocular tissue. Good circulation reduces intraocular pressure, a major risk factor for glaucoma, for example. While better oxygenation helps prevent age-related macular degeneration (DMLA) and diabetic retinopathy, two serious conditions that can cause vision loss.

In addition, physical activity contributes to better weight management and therefore to the prevention of systemic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, which are often associated with eye problems such as diabetic retinopathy.

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Eye fatigue prevention

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La Eye fatigue is a common problem. Especially for people who spend long hours in front of screens. Once again, physical activity will have a role to play. By stimulating blood circulation and improving tissue oxygenation as explained above, exercise will contribute to reducing eye tension and fatigue.

At work, for example, the “active” breakswhich consist of getting up and moving for a few minutes every hour, relieve the eyes. These breaks interrupt the intense focus cycle and provide a period of rest for the eye muscles.

You can implement simple eye exercises to avoid fatigue such as 20-20-20 rule : every 20 minutes, look into the distance 20 meters in front of you, for at least 20 seconds.

Incorporating activities like walking, yoga, or light stretching into the daily routine offers additional benefits. These exercises improve posture and reduce tension in the neck and shoulders, areas that are often stressed when using computers. An ergonomic and well-lit work environment, combined with these practices, contributes to the vision health.

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Precautions and recommendations

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It is important to choose moderate intensity sports to avoid injuries and maximize eye benefits. High-intensity activities can sometimes increase intraocular pressure, especially if they involve sudden movements or intense physical effort. In contrast, moderate-intensity sports, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming, allow you to enjoy the benefits of exercise without risking harm to the eyes.

When doing sports, it is essential to take some Precautions to protect the eyes. Wearing sunglasses is crucial for preventing damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays. Sunglasses should offer protection against UVA and UVB and be adapted to the activity being performed. For example, for outdoor sports such as biking or hiking, wrap-around sunglasses offer better protection against side rays.

People with eye conditions such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), or diabetic retinopathy should consult an ophthalmologist before starting a new physical activity. A health professional can provide personalized advice and recommendations to avoid complications. For example, people with diabetic retinopathy should avoid activities that increase eye pressure, such as heavy lifting exercises.

 

As you will have understood, integrating sport into the daily routine contributes not only to overall health but also potentially to the protection and improvement of vision.

 

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