We've all known that our bodies work as a total unit - and that overall fitness is a very good thing.
Now two new studies are showing that the same exercise that leads to cardiovascular fitness could also lead to reduced risk of macular degeneration and cataracts.
Overlaps in health include higher levels of HDL (good) cholesterol being associated with a lower risk of age-related macular degeneration, and the fact that high levels of C-reactive protein, which occur during periods of inflammation, may lead to cataracts.
Exercise typically boosts HDL and reduces C-reactive protein.
Other studies show that regular exercise of the eyes themselves helps to maintain good eyesight.
This includes focus and rotation exercises, which strengthen the myriad of muscles surrounding our eyes.
  One exercise that I've used to improve focus is the string and bead exercise.
Start with a 6' long piece of string and 10 colored beads with holes for stringing.
Tie the beads into the string at 6" intervals.
Put a loop on one end and use a tack to hold it to the wall at your eye level.
  Now, hold the other end of the string on your nose, and starting with the string closest to the wall, focus intently on the beads, one at a time.
Practice until you can force your eyes to see just one bead in each spot.
  Another good exercise is to rotate your eyes, looking as far to the left, right, and up and down as you can.
So let's change that old schoolyard chant: "Look up, look down, look at my thumb - Gee you're SMART!" Then get up and get some whole body exercise - eyesight is too precious to lose.