2 Things You Need To Know About Glaucoma & Winter Time

If you have just been diagnosed with glaucoma, you need to know how seasonal changes can affect your condition. Here are three things you need to know about how winter affects your glaucoma. 

Cold Weather Can Increase The Pressure On Your Eyes

If you have glaucoma, generally the pressure inside of your eye is higher than someone who does not suffer from glaucoma. Pressure in your eye is one of the significant risk factors of glaucoma. 

The winter weather can have a direct effect on the pressure inside of your eye. When it is really cold outside, the pressure in your eyes can increase. This happens when oxygen particles in the air condense as the temperature drops, which puts more pressure on your eye. This can worsen the effects of your glaucoma.

You can protect against this by putting on glasses or goggles when you go outside, and make sure that you put on a warm hat and wrap a scarf around your neck and face. Staying warm and reducing your exposure to the cool air will keep the pressure down inside of your eyes. 

Lack Of Exercise Can Increase The Pressure On Your Eyes

During the cold winter months, many individuals are not as active as they are throughout the rest of the year. This can have a direct effect on your glaucoma. One of the most effective ways to keep your eye pressure down is through aerobic exercise. 

Do not skimp on exercise just because it is cold outside. If you don't have the funds to join a gym and you don't like exercising outside, do some laps around your house or apartment complex to get your heart rate going, or do a few laps around your local mall or grocery store as a way to work out. 

Continuing to exercise throughout the winter months will help reduce the pressure on you eyes and will help reduce the effects of your glaucoma. Give yourself a monthly reward for sticking to your exercise goals throughout the winter months. A little aerobic exercise each day will help your eyes and your overall health. 

During the winter months, the change in weather can increase the pressure on your eyes. Protect your eyes by limiting your time outside and wearing protective eyewear and bundling up when you do go outside. Finally, don't skimp on the exercise just because it is cold outside; regular aerobic exercise will help you manage your glaucoma. For more help with managing glaucoma talk to an optometrist, like one at Bonnie Doon Eye Care - Dr Mehta Sunil.