Exercise and good dietary habits have long been used as a way to improve health, lose weight and even reduce or eliminate certain medical conditions. Adult onset diabetes and hypertension are two conditions that significantly improve through exercise.

A recent article published in the BioMed Central Ophthalmology journal concluded that moderate aerobic exercise, such as running or cycling will temporarily reduce intraocular pressure (pressure in the eye). The study followed 7 groups of individuals including non medicated patients with normal intraocular pressures, patients with normal pressures taking Timolol Maleate (Timoptic; glaucoma medication), people with normal pressures taking Latanoprost (Xalatan; glaucoma medication), folks with normal pressures taking Brimonidine Tartrate (Alphagan; glaucoma medication), glaucoma patients taking Timoptic, glaucoma patients Xalatan, and glaucoma patients taking all three glaucoma medications.

The study concluded that all individuals demonstrated statistically lower intraocular pressures during and immediately following moderate aerobic exercise. The result was only temporary and therefore can not be used as a therapeutic modality, but does open the door to a multi-plan approach to treating glaucoma and bears further investigation. Exercise alone should not be the only method employed to lower the pressure, but as an adjunct to glaucoma therapy, all patients are advised to exercise at least 30 minutes per day.