Evidence-Based Exercise Recommendations for the Reduction and Stabilization of Intraocular Pressure: A Practical Guide for Eye Care and Sport Specialists

The only proven method to manage glaucoma is the reduction and stabilization of intraocular pressure (IOP). A wide range of daily activities has been demonstrated to affect the IOP behavior, and eye care specialists should be aware of their effects for the prevention and treatment of glaucoma. Indee...

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Main Authors: Jesús Vera, María Dolores Morenas-Aguilar, Amador García-Ramos
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/3/1396
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author Jesús Vera
María Dolores Morenas-Aguilar
Amador García-Ramos
author_facet Jesús Vera
María Dolores Morenas-Aguilar
Amador García-Ramos
author_sort Jesús Vera
collection DOAJ
description The only proven method to manage glaucoma is the reduction and stabilization of intraocular pressure (IOP). A wide range of daily activities has been demonstrated to affect the IOP behavior, and eye care specialists should be aware of their effects for the prevention and treatment of glaucoma. Indeed, the impact of physical activity on IOP has gained attention in recent years, considering exercise prescription as a promising adjuvant strategy for controlling IOP in glaucoma patients. To integrate all the available information in this regard, we have conducted a clinical review based on a patient-centered approach. Previous studies have demonstrated that the IOP response to physical exercise is dependent on numerous factors such as the exercise type (e.g., endurance or resistance training), exercise intensity, subjects’ fitness level, body position (e.g., supine vs. standing) and breathing pattern adopted during exercise, underlying medical conditions, concomitant mental effort, or caffeine intake before exercise. This article summarizes the available scientific evidence on the positive and negative effects of physical exercise on IOP and provides practical recommendations for exercise prescription in glaucoma patients or those at risk. An active collaboration between eye care and sports medicine specialists would permit a better management of this ocular condition.
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spelling doaj-art-d0cf21e027794484a4e51622b8d2e3c22025-08-20T02:12:40ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-01-01153139610.3390/app15031396Evidence-Based Exercise Recommendations for the Reduction and Stabilization of Intraocular Pressure: A Practical Guide for Eye Care and Sport SpecialistsJesús Vera0María Dolores Morenas-Aguilar1Amador García-Ramos2CLARO (Clinical and Laboratory Applications of Research in Optometry) Laboratory, Department of Optics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, SpainDepartment of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, SpainDepartment of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, SpainThe only proven method to manage glaucoma is the reduction and stabilization of intraocular pressure (IOP). A wide range of daily activities has been demonstrated to affect the IOP behavior, and eye care specialists should be aware of their effects for the prevention and treatment of glaucoma. Indeed, the impact of physical activity on IOP has gained attention in recent years, considering exercise prescription as a promising adjuvant strategy for controlling IOP in glaucoma patients. To integrate all the available information in this regard, we have conducted a clinical review based on a patient-centered approach. Previous studies have demonstrated that the IOP response to physical exercise is dependent on numerous factors such as the exercise type (e.g., endurance or resistance training), exercise intensity, subjects’ fitness level, body position (e.g., supine vs. standing) and breathing pattern adopted during exercise, underlying medical conditions, concomitant mental effort, or caffeine intake before exercise. This article summarizes the available scientific evidence on the positive and negative effects of physical exercise on IOP and provides practical recommendations for exercise prescription in glaucoma patients or those at risk. An active collaboration between eye care and sports medicine specialists would permit a better management of this ocular condition.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/3/1396glaucomalifestylephysical activityglaucoma managementglaucoma prevention
spellingShingle Jesús Vera
María Dolores Morenas-Aguilar
Amador García-Ramos
Evidence-Based Exercise Recommendations for the Reduction and Stabilization of Intraocular Pressure: A Practical Guide for Eye Care and Sport Specialists
Applied Sciences
glaucoma
lifestyle
physical activity
glaucoma management
glaucoma prevention
title Evidence-Based Exercise Recommendations for the Reduction and Stabilization of Intraocular Pressure: A Practical Guide for Eye Care and Sport Specialists
title_full Evidence-Based Exercise Recommendations for the Reduction and Stabilization of Intraocular Pressure: A Practical Guide for Eye Care and Sport Specialists
title_fullStr Evidence-Based Exercise Recommendations for the Reduction and Stabilization of Intraocular Pressure: A Practical Guide for Eye Care and Sport Specialists
title_full_unstemmed Evidence-Based Exercise Recommendations for the Reduction and Stabilization of Intraocular Pressure: A Practical Guide for Eye Care and Sport Specialists
title_short Evidence-Based Exercise Recommendations for the Reduction and Stabilization of Intraocular Pressure: A Practical Guide for Eye Care and Sport Specialists
title_sort evidence based exercise recommendations for the reduction and stabilization of intraocular pressure a practical guide for eye care and sport specialists
topic glaucoma
lifestyle
physical activity
glaucoma management
glaucoma prevention
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/3/1396
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AT mariadoloresmorenasaguilar evidencebasedexerciserecommendationsforthereductionandstabilizationofintraocularpressureapracticalguideforeyecareandsportspecialists
AT amadorgarciaramos evidencebasedexerciserecommendationsforthereductionandstabilizationofintraocularpressureapracticalguideforeyecareandsportspecialists