Your ophthalmologist will perform an eye exam and perform tests on the intraocular pressure (IOP), either using a probe placed against the surface of your eye or by puffing air into its chambers.

Medication eye drops are often used to lower IOP by either decreasing fluid production or helping it drain out of your eyes through their drainage angles, thus decreasing pressure and helping prevent optic nerve damage and vision loss. These drops also prevent eye strain that leads to vision impairment.

1. Exercise

Intraocular pressure (IOP) is maintained through the constant flow of aqueous humor into and out of the eyeball, called aqueous humor. If this fluid cannot drain out quickly enough, pressure builds in the eyeball leading to glaucoma which if untreated can damage optic nerves and lead to loss of vision. Regular exercise has proven invaluable in lowering blood pressure, leading to decreased eye pressure as a result.

Every part of our bodies requires adequate blood circulation for optimal functioning, including our eyes. A healthy diet is helpful; but eyes also benefit from moderate physical activity – including walking, running, jumping rope, rowing machines or cycling exercises that strengthen eye muscle strength and flexibility such as walking. Any exercises involving bending over at waist level could increase eye pressure.

Weightlifting may increase eye pressure. Weightlifters perform exercises known as Valsalva [vahl-sahl-vuh] maneuver to increase breathing rates similar to coughing or playing wind instruments; this breath holding may temporarily raise intraocular pressure levels before returning back to normal after they have finished exercise.

While exercising, it is crucial to wear sunglasses to protect the eyes from harmful light and glare. Furthermore, activities which could increase eye pressure such as smoking or lifting heavy objects should be avoided as this could increase eye pressure further. Furthermore, wearing tight clothing could limit circulation – this should also be avoided as tight clothing restricts blood flow reducing circulation further. The key is staying active – aim for at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise each day which will not only benefit your heart, waistline and energy level but may even significantly lower glaucoma risk!

2. Eat a Healthy Diet

Diet is essential in maintaining eye pressure and improving vision. Make sure that you’re eating enough fruits, vegetables and whole grains while cutting back on salt, sugar, saturated fat and trans fat intake. Consider following the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet which emphasizes vegetables, fruit, low-fat dairy foods, fish and low sodium intake; as well as getting in enough potassium. Studies indicate that green tea, Indian tulsi and bilberry can also be powerful antioxidants which may help lower intraocular pressure by expanding blood vessels and increasing oxygen delivery to your eyes; while taking enough vitamin C promotes eye health.

3. Get Regular Eye Exams

Maintaining eye health goes far beyond simply visiting an eye doctor to get glasses or contact lenses prescribed, according to Men’s Health. Regular eye exams can reveal numerous health conditions – glaucoma being one. Early detection can help lower eye pressure and prevent vision loss or irreversible blindness altogether.

An extensive eye exam involves several tests, such as visual acuity and tonometry. Visual acuity measures how clearly you see at different distances; tonometry uses an instrument called a tonometer to check eye pressure using numbing drops to allow the doctor to place a small probe against the eyeball – any reading above 21 millimeters mercury indicates increased fluid pressure which could eventually lead to glaucoma if left untreated.

Eye exams can also detect diseases and conditions that affect your heart, including clogged arteries. According to research published in PLOS ONE journal, this can lead to stroke, brain damage and blindness – making regular trips to see an eye doctor even more important if there are risk factors such as high eye pressure or glaucoma present.

No matter your history of high eye pressure or not, optometrists should be your go-to experts for regular eye exams every two years. However, if you have had previous eye disease such as glaucoma or other serious eye conditions it’s advised to visit an ophthalmologist instead due to their more in-depth training in diagnosing and treating eye diseases and conditions; additionally they offer more treatment options than optometrists do.

4. Wear Sunglasses

Protecting your eyes from UV radiation is of utmost importance, so opt for sunglasses offering 100% UV protection that are lightweight. Some styles may provide more comfort than others so be sure to test before making your purchase decision.

Keep the 20-20-20 rule in mind to give your eyes a break every 20 minutes, drink fluids slowly and don’t gulp more than one quart at once, and take any prescribed medications exactly as directed – this will help lower eye pressure and avoid vision loss. Although glaucoma doesn’t affect vision loss directly, lowering eye pressure is still key in order to maintain good vision quality.