When you think about eye health, your first thought might be your annual vision exam. And while regular checkups are essential, there’s something else that can make a big difference, your lifestyle.
Staying physically active doesn’t just help your heart, brain, or waistline. It can also support lifelong vision and help you prevent or manage eye-related conditions. Here’s how getting your body moving can help keep your eyes healthy, clear, and strong.
Improves Circulation for Eye Health
Exercise boosts your blood flow, and that’s great news for your eyes. Healthy circulation delivers oxygen and essential nutrients that keep your eyes functioning at their best.
Improved blood flow can also help slow or prevent the development of eye conditions such as glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), two leading causes of vision loss in adults.
Reduces Risk of Chronic Diseases that Affect Vision
Conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease don’t just affect your overall health, they can also damage your vision. Diabetes, for example, is the top cause of vision loss in working-age adults.
Routine eye exams can often detect early signs of these diseases, sometimes before other symptoms show up. This makes vision care a vital part of your preventative health strategy.
Supports Healthy Weight, Reducing Eye Disease Risk
Maintaining a healthy weight through regular activity helps reduce the risk of diabetic retinopathy and hypertension-related vision issues. Obesity is linked to increased inflammation and poor circulation, both of which can impact your eyes over time.
By staying active, you’re not just supporting your metabolism, you’re investing in your vision for the long term.
Encourages Time Outdoors, Which is Great for Your Eyes
Time outside isn’t just good for your mood. It’s also great for your eyes. Outdoor light helps reduce the risk of myopia (nearsightedness), especially in children. Natural light supports eye development and gives your eyes a much-needed break from screens and close-up work.
Some eye-friendly outdoor activities include:
- Walking or jogging around your neighborhood
- Weekend hikes on local trails
- Family bike rides
- Pick-up games of soccer, basketball, or tennis
Helps Relieve Digital Eye Strain
Chances are, you spend a lot of time in front of a screen. Whether it’s work, school, or entertainment, all that screen time can lead to digital eye strain, a common cause of headaches, blurry vision, and dry eyes.
Physical activity naturally breaks up long periods of screen use. You can also follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Even a short walk around the block during your lunch break can reset your eyes and reduce fatigue.
Boosts Mental Wellness, Which Supports Vision Care Habits
Exercise is a powerful mood booster. It helps reduce stress, improve sleep, and build healthier habits. When you feel good, you’re more likely to keep up with preventive care, like scheduling your annual eye exam.
Regular physical activity can help you stay on track with the basics that protect your vision, like eating well, sleeping enough, and using your VCD vision plan benefits.
Time to Get Moving—for Your Eyes
Your eyes are connected to every part of your body, and they benefit from the same healthy habits. So whether you’re training for a 5K, walking your dog, or chasing your kids around the park, know that you’re also doing something good for your vision.
While you’re at it, make sure you’re keeping up with your routine eye care. Vision Care Direct offers comprehensive eye health exams that can detect early signs of up to 18 systemic conditions. Plus, with our locally-owned provider network and affordable benefits like VCD PLUS, taking care of your eyes has never been easier.
Schedule your eye exam today and step into summer with a clear view.