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While the mainstay of glaucoma therapy remains lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) with medication, laser treatment or surgery, there is some evidence that a regular aerobic program can help support your medical therapy.
Studies have looked at different types of aerobic exercise - bicycling, brisk walking, jogging, swimming, gym conditioning - and determined that IOP falls substantially with aerobic type exercise three times a week, with elevated heart and respiratory rates sustained for 20 to 30 minutes. Some studies also have found that exercise improves blood flow to the retina and optic nerve. But there's a catch. The benefit continues only as long as you continue exercising. In a study of sedentary glaucoma suspects, just three weeks of deconditioning undid the beneficial effects.
There are also some types of exercise to avoid as they may have a negative impact on IOP. Exercises in which you stand on your head or shoulders or invert your body - as in upside-down yoga positions, scuba diving and bungee jumping - should be avoided as they can raise IOP. Exercises in which you inhale and then hold your breath - as in weightlifting - appear to have a negative impact on IOP as well.
Also, some forms of glaucoma (such as closed angle) are not responsive to the effects of exercise and others (such as pigmentary glaucoma) may develop a temporary increase in IOP after vigorous high-impact exercise.
The bottom line? While a regular program of moderate exercise will have multiple benefits for your overall health, always check with your ophthalmologist and your general physician before starting any new exercise regime!
And remember that while drinking plenty of fluid is important before, during and after exercising, drink fluids slowly. Drinking a quart of water within 15 to 30 minutes can cause a rise in IOP. Use common sense as to how fast it goes down!