“Eye Yoga” May Help Glaucoma

A 2024 study published in The EPMA Journal explored whether a structured “eye yoga” routine could help people with primary open-angle glaucoma, the most common form of glaucoma. This condition damages the optic nerve, often because of increased pressure inside the eye and reduced blood flow. Stress can worsen these problems by causing blood vessels to tighten. The researchers evaluated whether lowering stress through eye-focused relaxation exercises could improve eye pressure, blood vessel function, and vision.

Twenty-seven adults with glaucoma were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Twelve people in the control group read calming books each day. Meanwhile, fifteen people in the intervention group practiced eye yoga every day for one month using an audio-guided program. The eye yoga routine included guided eye movements, gentle massage around the eyes, covering the eyes with the hands to encourage relaxation, and slow, controlled breathing meditation (“pranayama”).

Eye yoga led to measurable improvements. After one month, people who practiced eye yoga had a six-percent drop in pressure inside the eye. They also showed improvements in their visual field, which is the full area a person can see while looking straight ahead. Detailed testing of tiny blood vessels in the retina showed that eye yoga reduced the amount of vessel tightening in both arteries and veins. Arteries also became slightly wider, which indicates better blood flow. These changes were not seen in the group that only read books. No harmful effects occurred.

Based on these findings, the researchers propose what they call the “eye ball retraction theory.” They suggest that mental stress may cause the eye muscles to tense and subtly pull the eyeball backward, which could disturb blood flow and contribute to glaucoma. Relaxation practices, including eye yoga, may help reverse this tension and improve circulation. The authors conclude that eye yoga is a safe, home-based method that may complement standard glaucoma care.