If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD), you may wonder how lifestyle changes can help slow the disease’s progression. Along with medical treatments, regular exercise can support overall health and may help protect your vision for longer.

In this article, we’ll explore how exercise affects wet AMD, what types of activities may be most beneficial, and how to stay active safely with vision changes.

Wet vs. Dry AMD

In wet AMD, abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the retina and leak fluid or blood, which can blur or distort vision — hence the name “wet.” This overgrowth of blood vessels is a key factor in central vision loss. Wet AMD is less common than dry AMD but tends to progress faster and cause more severe vision loss.

In dry AMD, light-sensitive cells in the macula (the central part of the retina responsible for sharp vision) gradually break down, leading to slow, progressive vision loss.

“I try to enjoy some activities that I can still do, like walking, artwork, audiobooks, in order to get my mind off of vision loss.”

— A myAMDteam member

Regular exercise may benefit both wet and dry AMD by supporting overall eye health and heart health. Since wet AMD can lead to significant vision loss, receiving a diagnosis may feel overwhelming, and you may be searching for ways to protect your sight. While exercise is not a cure, research suggests it may help support eye health and overall well-being.

Exercise To Preserve Vision With Wet AMD

Research suggests that regular exercise supports eye health and may help slow the risk of progression of wet AMD.

A 2020 study from the University of Virginia School of Medicine found that exercise reduced the overgrowth of blood vessels linked to wet AMD by up to 45 percent in lab mice. In this study, physically active mice developed fewer harmful blood vessels beneath the retina, a key cause of central vision loss. A follow-up experiment confirmed the effect, showing a 32 percent reduction in blood vessel overgrowth.

While more research is needed in humans, these findings suggest that staying active could play a role in supporting eye health.

Exercise To Reduce AMD Risk

Research also shows that regular exercise can reduce your risk of AMD in the first place or reduce the risk of progression from dry AMD to wet AMD. One study, which followed nearly 4,000 adults over 15 years, found that people who exercised at least three times per week had a 70 percent lower incidence of developing wet AMD compared to those with an inactive lifestyle. These results held true even after adjusting for factors like age, sex, and body mass index (BMI).

Even Low Levels of Exercise Could Help

Encouragingly, the University of Virginia School of Medicine study found that mice did not need to exercise much to see benefits. Any level of physical activity was better than none, and doing more did not provide additional advantages.

“I enjoy walking and usually walk about four miles a day. I take aquatics classes two or three days a week at my fitness club.”

— A myAMDteam member

Similarly, a separate study on exercise and AMD risk found that even three hours per week of low-to-moderate activity significantly reduced the likelihood of developing late-stage (wet) AMD by 41 percent. The effect on early AMD was smaller, with active participants having an 8 percent lower risk compared to those with a sedentary lifestyle.

While more research is needed, these findings suggest that even small amounts of exercise may help support eye health.

Tips for Exercising With AMD

Declining vision can make it more challenging to get enough exercise and lead a healthy lifestyle. In fact, people with wet AMD have been found to have 50 percent lower levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity than people without AMD, even after adjusting for age and other factors. But finding the right kinds of activity that work with your vision level, interests, and physical abilities can help you exercise regularly and enjoy it.

Do Activities You Enjoy

It may seem obvious, but it’s important to remember that you’re more likely to be able to stick with an exercise routine if it’s fun and enjoyable. Research shows that people are more likely to stick to an exercise plan if they enjoy the activity.

Try to be creative about adaptations or modifications that might be possible to help you continue to do your favorite activities safely even with lower vision. For example, if you enjoy yoga, try speaking to your instructor about using more descriptive verbal cues during classes rather than relying on students to visually observe and copy their motions. Or, see what exercise help you might be able to receive from an expert or trainer at your local gym or senior center.

Try These Low-Vision-Friendly Exercises

If you have some vision loss, it may be best to try low-impact exercises that you can do safely with limited vision. Try some of these activities to see what might work best for you:

• Walking — While wet AMD can cause you to lose your central vision, it usually does not affect your peripheral vision (side vision), or cause blindness. This means most people can keep their ability to walk around without bumping into things, even if their central vision loss is severe.
• Stationary biking — Using a stationary bike can be a great low-impact exercise for people with low vision. Companies like Peloton now offer accessibility features like audio prompts and large text.
• Tai chi and yoga — These low-impact exercises are often safe for people with low vision because you can do them while standing or sitting in one place. You can practice both via the use of an audio prompt recording, apps on your phone, or in a class setting.

Other Benefits of Exercise With AMD

Exercise can be beneficial for people with wet AMD for reasons beyond keeping your vision for longer, too. Regular physical activity can improve your overall health, help with your mental health, and make it easier to manage or reduce your risk of other health conditions that are common in people with wet AMD.

Exercise for AMD Comorbidities

Getting exercise a few times per week can improve your overall health and extend your lifespan by helping manage or prevent comorbidities (other diseases) that are common in people with wet AMD, like heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, and stroke.

Exercise for Better Mental Health

Vision loss can affect your mental health. In addition to anxiety about the future, many people with wet AMD feel grief over the loss of activities they once enjoyed. According to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation (AMDF), people with AMD are seven times more likely to experience depression than people without AMD. Engaging in regular exercise is one way you can support your emotional well-being and mental health while navigating the changes to your vision. In addition to finding a routine that helps you feel your best, it’s also always good to speak with your doctor about changes to your mental health.

Exercise can also help you remember to focus on things you can do, rather than abilities you’ve lost. As one myAMDteam member shared, “I try to enjoy some activities that I can still do, like walking, artwork, audiobooks, in order to get my mind off of vision loss.”

Another member shared the exercise routine that keeps them feeling positive: “I enjoy walking and usually walk about four miles a day. I take aquatics classes two or three days a week at my fitness club.”

When discussing how they cope with the uncertainty and stress of living with AMD, one myAMDteam member shared, “I’m 83 years young and I try to eat healthy, exercise, and keep a positive attitude. We’re all in this together when it comes to living long enough to have these issues to deal with. Smile every day!”

Talk With Others Who Understand

On myAMDteam, the social network for people with age-related macular degeneration, and their loved ones, more than 3,000 members who understand life with age-related macular degeneration come together to share support, advice, and stories from their daily lives.

Are you living with wet age-related macular degeneration? Do you have more questions about whether exercise or other lifestyle changes could help? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.