Physical activity and exercise in primary open-angle glaucoma: a scoping review
Abstract
Introduction: Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Although intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction remains the cornerstone of management, increasing attention has focused on physical activity (PA) and structured exercise as potential adjunct strategies. Exercise induces systemic physiological adaptations, including changes in systemic vascular health, autonomic regulation, and perfusion dynamics, which may influence glaucoma pathophysiology and ocular health beyond IOP-dependent pathways.
Methods: This scoping review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. MEDLINE, Embase, and SPORTDiscus were systematically searched from database inception to 13 June 2024. Eligible studies investigated associations or effects of PA or exercise on POAG-related outcomes, including ophthalmological parameters, systemic vascular markers, and patient-reported outcomes. All study designs were considered. Data were extracted and synthesized narratively across predefined clinical domains: incidence, progression, disease severity, and quality of life.
Results: Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria (14 observational, 4 randomized controlled trials). Aerobic exercise interventions were consistently associated with short-term reductions in IOP and increases in ocular perfusion pressure. Observational evidence suggested that higher habitual PA was associated with lower glaucoma prevalence, reduced incidence, and slower disease…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a systematic review, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Regulation of nucleolus assembly by non-coding RNA polymerase II transcripts
- For a Healthy Histone Code, a Little SUMO in the Tail Keeps the Acetyl Away
- Discovering a binary CTCF code with a little help from BORIS
- Article Commentary: Stabilizing the Code–-Methods to Preserve RNA Prove Their Worth
- Foreword to the Special Issue for the RINTC (The Implicit Seismic Risk of Code-Conforming Structures) Project
- Commentary: Promoting Health and Well-being in Pediatric Primary Care Settings: Using Health and Behavior Codes at Routine Well-child Visits
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.