Shocking News About Yoga's Impact on Glaucoma

I received shocking news regarding yoga, an activity which I love. But first let me say that I am glaucoma suspect with eye pressure that is in the upper range of normal. So I am very concerned about the possibility of getting glaucoma.

I just went to the opthamologist for for a full examination and he told me something that certain yoga positions increase eye pressure and should NOT be done by people who have the possibility of getting glaucoma.

The full article on the subject is here but what you need to know is that a new study says that certain poses increase eye pressure and present risks for individuals with glaucoma. Those position are any ones that place the head below the rest of the body. The greatest pressure increase was found during downward dog!

So ....

Downward Dog is not good

Head Stands are not good

Bending over for the sun salutations are not good

Bridge pose is not good

So where does that leave me? I am thinking of concentrating on Yin Yoga which is stretching that tends to be on the mat.

I also found out that sleep apnea and snoring increases the possibility of a stroke to the eye. Sleeping on one of your sides puts more pressure on the eye closest to the pillow.

 

What is glaucoma ---

Dr. Robert Ritch, from the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai (NYEE) in New York, NY, notes that glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the US. He focuses on elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), which is the most common risk factor for glaucomatous damage and the only modifiable factor that has been proven to prevent or slow glaucoma progression.