Can Yoga Help Women with Glaucoma?
It’s a well-known fact that women have a higher number of glaucoma cases than men. While this is often attributed to the notion that women live longer than men, glaucoma pathogenesis studies from AJO International found that there is a higher prevalence in women who have experienced shifts in estrogen and vascular autoregulation. As such, there is a bigger chance of developing the condition after pregnancy and menopause. For women experiencing post‑menopausal changes such as weight redistribution, including stubborn abdomen fat, here are some ways to beat menopausal belly fat that can support overall health alongside other wellness practices.
While these statistics may seem worrisome, the prevalence has also produced coverage for several solutions and practices to help prevent or manage symptoms. One commonly asked question is whether or not yoga is one of these potential aids for glaucoma in women.
Does yoga help with glaucoma for women?
It should be noted that a limited iteration of yoga is recommended for women with glaucoma. Many intensive poses require your head to be in a position that increases intraocular pressure (IOP) and leads to a progression of visual field defects. Otherwise, certain practices associated with yoga can help alleviate pressure and prevent further damage.
A study from the Indian Journal of Ophthalmology dove deeper into the specifics of yoga’s effects on glaucoma patients, highlighting the ability of slow-breathing techniques and Jyoti-trataka to lower IOP. In the same vein, practitioners discovered that pranayama, which involves breath-holding, causes the opposite effect. Head-down yoga postures such as Sirsana must also be avoided at all costs as these have a high risk of increased IOP.
Thankfully, there are things you can do to maximize the benefits that yoga can provide for glaucoma management.
How to maximize the benefits of yoga for glaucoma maintenance
Protect your eyes actively when doing yoga
Injuries are also a huge risk factor for glaucoma, so you should avoid doing yoga around sharp edges and any surface that could hurt your eyes. Always practice yoga on a mat, even if you only do light exercises.
In addition, you should be careful about sun exposure. Doing yoga outside can be good for your stress and wellness, but glaucoma patients can be very sensitive to light. On top of that, UV rays can cause or exacerbate symptoms of glaucoma. You may need women’s sunglasses to practice outdoors safely, so go for a lightweight, comfortable, and sturdy model that provides adequate glare reduction and protection against UVA and UVB rays. Both traditional Ray-Ban models like Clubmasters and bio-based ones like the Kiliane are designed for women aesthetically and come with tinted lenses that hit the standard of UV400 defense.
Create a conducive environment for your wellness.
Increased heart rate is one of the worst offenders of increasing IOP and making glaucoma worse, so you can definitely reap more benefits from your simple yoga routine if you are in an environment designed to regulate your heart rate and reduce stress. While not directly linked to the condition, researchers have also found an association between higher anxiety levels and faster glaucoma progression.
You can create a women’s wellness retreat in your garden by curating a secluded nook dedicated to calming you down. You can also consider a sensory garden element with textured plants, pleasant sounds from water features, and aromatic herbs. Using this space to set mindful intentions can also help you feel more motivated to stick to any medication and treatment plan.
Stick to light yoga pranayama
Yoga succeeds the most in helping patients through slow and steady breathing exercises, as seen in yogic pranayama. Studies have found these most helpful for primary open-angle glaucoma, improving neuroendocrine regulation and production of aqueous humor. While it’s still not a substitute for medical intervention, it’s a beneficial supplementary therapy for patients.
Women should still stick to light forms of the practice to avoid injury and increase IOP. Instead, they should focus on lighter stretching and breath-focused elements that don’t require excessive movement or any downward head positions.
Amélie is a health and wellness junky. Certified yoga instructor with Yoga Alliance in the Vinyasa and Ashtanga styles, she has a Yoga Instructor Certification – Level I (300 hours) and Yoga Instructor Certification – Level II (200 hours) under her belt. She also has a certified Open Water Diver certification with PADI and SSI Scuba Schools International Freediving Level I certification with SSI Scuba Schools International. She’s been vegan for over 15 years and is obsessed with anything wellness-related.