Study evaluates impact of exercise on intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients

News
Article

Recent studies that have reported that active and healthy living can reduce IOP.

People stretching in a field Image credit: AdobeStock/Halfpoint

Image credit: AdobeStock/Halfpoint

A new Spanish study found that exercise, especially aerobic exercise, may help modulate intraocular pressure (IOP) and may serve as a complementary therapy for patients with glaucoma, according to the lead author Daniel González-Devesa, PhD, from the Faculty of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences, Universidad de León, León, Spain.1

Their rationale for delving into this topic is the recent studies that have reported that active and healthy living can reduce IOP. Many patients have consulted their doctors for lifestyle guidance based on this evidence.2

Further, they pointed out, “Physical activity is an important but often overlooked factor that affects glaucoma progression, according to recent research.3 However, the scientific community has yet to reach a consensus regarding the effects of exercise on glaucoma. Some theories suggest that an exercise-induced IOP elevation may lead to reduced ocular perfusion pressure, possibly causing mechanical or ischemic damage to the optic nerve head.4 In contrast, other studies proposed that exercise can trigger a reduction in IOP levels, thus positively affecting ocular health.5

To increase the body of evidence regarding the impact of physical exercise on IOP, González-Devesa and colleagues conducted a literature search of English, Portuguese, or Spanish studies on the effect of exercise on IOP in glaucoma. They excluded case reports and yoga-based interventions. Of 1,001 identified records, 15 studies were independently evaluated. Of the 15 studies that were evaluated through the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool scoring system, two quantitative randomized controlled studies scored 100% and 13 non-randomized studies averaged 84.62%, the investigators explained.

“Our findings indicated that both aerobic and resistance training led to an immediate IOP reduction post-exercise. In addition, exercise may serve as complementary therapy in glaucoma patients, potentially reducing glaucoma progression risk,” González-Devesa and colleagues reported.

Further, they offered the caveat that their findings were in large part obtained from single-session experiments and that the effects of longer-term exercise programs on IOP varied.

However, while they believe that their study underscores the potential benefit of exercise in IOP management, “the evidence remains inconclusive due to variations in study design, participant demographics, and exercise parameters. This lack of consistency in the research highlights the necessity for larger, standardized, and longer-term studies to robustly corroborate these preliminary findings,” they commented.

References:
  1. González-Devesa D, Suárez-Iglesias D, Diz JC, et al. Systematic review on the impact of exercise on intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients. Int Ophthalmol. 2024;44:351; https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-024-03216-4
  2. Hecht I, Achiron A, Man V, Burgansky-Eliash Z. Modifiable factors in the management of glaucoma: a systematic review of current evidence. Graefe Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2017;255:789–796. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-016-3518-4
  3. Olszewska H, Kosny J, Jurowski P, Jegier A (2020) Physical activity of patients with a primary open angle glaucoma. Int J Ophthalmol. 2020;13:1102–1108. https://doi.org/10.18240/ijo.2020.07.14
  4. McMonnies CW. Intraocular pressure and glaucoma: is physical exercise beneficial or a risk? J Optom. 2016;9:139–147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optom.2015.12.001
  5. Kumar H, Taneja S. Commentary: exercise and intraocular pressure: friends or foes? Indian J Ophthalmol. 2022;70:4236–4237. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijo.IJO_2258_22
Recent Videos
Deb Ristvedt, DO, details a handful of presentations on glaucoma she gave during CRU 2025 in Napa, California.
Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, DipABO, weighs in on patient assessments, staining pattern insights, and diagnostic tips for patients who may have dry eye disease.
Melissa Barnett, OD, FAAO, FSLS, FBCLA, discusses keratoconus management, diagnosis, and other key insights at CRU 2025.
Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, DipABO, details a talk she gave among optometrists and ophthalmologists at CRU 2025.
Alongside Rachelle Lin, OD, MS, FAAO; Nguyễn, MD, MSc, detailed what treatments are currently available for retinal vascular diseases, including neovascular age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
Nora Lee Cothran, OD, FAAO, details a real-world study that found IOP-lowering benefits when switching patients with glaucoma to latanoprostene bunod treatment.
Mile Brujic, OD, FAAO; Nate Lighthizer, OD, FAAO; Brianna Rhue, OD, FAAO, FSLS; Ben Casella, OD; and Ben Gaddie, OD, FAAO shared their insights from the conference.
Agatha Sleboda, OD; Arti Shah, OD, FAAO; and Kent J. Nozacki, OD provide the best tips that they give to their patients during natural disasters events in light of the recent Greater Los Angeles wildfires.
Optometrists local to the Los Angeles area overview their efforts to continue providing support to patients affected by January's wildfires.
Brianna Rhue, OD, FAAO, FSLS, reviewed key takeaways from The Future of Myopia Management: Perspectives from Leading Experts talk from SECO 2025.
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.