Exercise Offers Protective Benefits for Eye Health in Glaucoma Patients

A recent study published in the Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science found that physical activity may have profound neuroprotective effects on eye health. The research, conducted as part of the Progression Risk of Glaucoma: RElevant SNPs with Significant Association (PROGRESSA) study and the UK Biobank, explored the correlation between physical activity and rates of macular thinning in adults with primary open-angle glaucoma.

The study involved 388 participants in the PROGRESSA study and a whopping 6152 participants in the UK Biobank analysis. They aimed to determine whether regular physical activity, measured by accelerometers, had a measurable impact on the thinning of the macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) and overall macular thickness, both of which are crucial factors in eye health.

The results, published recently, have captured the attention of the medical community and the public alike. In the PROGRESSA study, greater physical activity was associated with slower rates of macular GCIPL thinning. Specifically, participants who took more than 10,524 steps a day exhibited a 0.22-µm/year slower rate of thinning compared to those taking fewer than 6925 steps a day. The correlation between physical activity and these eye health benefits persisted even among those characterized as glaucoma suspects.

Furthermore, not only the quantity of activity but also the intensity played a significant role. Both time spent doing moderate/vigorous activity and mean daily active calories were positively correlated with the rate of macular GCIPL thinning, emphasizing the importance of regular, higher-intensity exercise for maintaining eye health.

These findings, while not claiming that exercise is a guaranteed preventative measure, do suggest that leading an active lifestyle may offer neuroprotective benefits to the retina. This research opens doors to further exploration of the potential positive impact of exercise on ocular health.

As eye conditions, including glaucoma, continue to be a global health concern, this study's results provide additional motivation for individuals to incorporate physical activity into their daily routines. This low-cost, low-risk intervention may offer a new perspective on how to protect and preserve eye health. 

Reference:

Berry, E. C., Marshall, H. N., Mullany, S., Torres, S. D., Schmidt, J., Thomson, D., Knight, L. S. W., Hollitt, G. L., Schulz, A., Landers, J., Healey, P. R., … Craig, J. E. (2023). Physical Activity Is Associated With Macular Thickness: A Multi-Cohort Observational Study. In Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (Vol. 64, Issue 3, p. 11). Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO). https://doi.org/10.1167/iovs.64.3.11