A study has shown that yogic breathing exercises can help glaucoma patients
A study published in the World Glaucoma Association journal has shown that yogic pranayama breathing exercises helped glaucoma patients when used alongside medication as an adjuvant therapy.
The study was conducted by Sanjeev Mittal, head of the ophthalmology department at the All India Institute of Medical Science Rishikesh. Mittal explained: ‘The biochemical changes associated with stress and pathogenesis of glaucoma share numerous common features. Mental stress is associated with an elevation in intraocular pressure and accelerates primary open angle glaucoma.’
Researchers studies 60 patients, splitting the cohort in half to provide medication to one group and medication alongside pranayama to the other. Results of the study showed that 89% of patients who completed the exercises showed more than a 28% reduction in intraocular pressure.