Aerobic exercise and intraocular pressure in normotensive and glaucoma patients

Abstract

BackgroundWith the increasing number of people participating in physical aerobic exercise, jogging in particular, we considered that it would be worth knowing if there are should be limits to the exercise with regard to the intraocular pressure (IOP) of the eyes. The purpose of this study is to check IOP in healthy and primary glaucoma patients after aerobic exercise.Methods145 individuals were subdivided into seven groups: normotensives who exercised regularly (Group A); normotensives in whose right eye (RE) timolol maleate 0.5% (Group B), latanoprost 0.005% (Group C), or brimonidine tartrate 0.2% (Group D) was instilled; and primary glaucoma patients under monotherapy with β-blockers (Group E), prostaglandin analogues (Group F) or combined antiglaucoma treatment (Group G) instilled in both eyes. The IOP of both eyes was measured before and after exercise.ResultsA statistically significant decrease was found in IOP during jogging. The aerobic exercise reduces the IOP in those eyes where a b-blocker, a prostaglandin analogue or an α-agonist was previously instilled. The IOP is also decreased in glaucoma patients who are already under antiglaucoma treatment.ConclusionThere is no ocular restriction for simple glaucoma patients in performing aerobic physical activity.

Intraocular Pressure Fluctuation in Patients With Primary Open-angle Glaucoma Combined With High Myopia

“…[26][27][28] In our results, patients on pharmacological glaucoma therapy could still obtain 5.72 ± 3.34 mm Hg IOP decrease after exercise. There was a significant IOP decrease after dynamic exercise.…”

Physical exercise and glaucoma: a review on the roles of physical exercise on intraocular pressure control, ocular blood flow regulation, neuroprotection and glaucoma‐related mental health

“…In 1995, Qureshi reported that the magnitude and duration of exercise-induced IOP reduction could be more prominent in patients with glaucoma not receiving treatment, compared to normal subjects. In Natsis et al (2009) study, 10 min of moderate-intensity cycling on a bicycle ergometer induced an additional IOP reduction (2-3 mmHg) in patients with glaucoma on antiglaucoma agents including b-blockers, a2-agonists and prostaglandin analogues (PGA). An additional and significant IOP reduction of 2.78 mmHg after 10 min of exercise on a cycle ergometer at an intensity of 20% maximum watt (W max ), and 4.90 mmHg after 5 min of exercise at 60% W max , was also observed in patients with glaucoma on topical PGA instillation alone .…”

Exercise-Induced Changes in Ocular Blood Flow Parameters in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Patients

“…Although several studies have investigated the relationship between exercise and IOP and/or glaucoma [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29], there are scant data about exercise and OBF parameters. Investigating exercise-induced changes in OBF-related parameters in treated patients with POAG, we found a significant increase in both OPA and OPP values immediately after exercise, which persisted for at least 30 min.…”