Exercise effects IOP in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma

Patients with primary open-angle glaucoma experienced decreases in intraocular pressure (IOP) and increases in ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) after participating in aerobic exercise, according to a study.

In this prospective, single-masked, randomized clinical trial, 123 patients treated only with local prostaglandin analog alone were divided into exercise and control groups.

To study the effect of short-term aerobic exercise, participants in both groups cycled at moderate intensity for 10 minutes and high intensity for 5 minutes. After exercise, IOP significantly decreased, whereas the OPP significantly increased.

To study the effect of long-term aerobic exercise, patients in the exercise group jogged for 30 minutes at an intensity reflected by a targeted heart rate at least 20 times per month for 3 months. Decreasing trends in IOP level were noted in the exercise group.

Reference
Ma QY, Zhou J, Xue YX, et al. Analysis of aerobic exercise influence on intraocular pressure and ocular perfusion pressure in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma: A randomized clinical trial. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2022;70(12):4228-4234. doi: 10.4103/ijo.IJO_1195_22. PMID: 36453320.