Active lifestyle tied to reduced visual field decline in primary open angle glaucoma

By Admin

13 Aug, 2025

Introduction
New research suggests that staying physically active may play a key role in slowing down visual field (VF) loss in people with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Two independent longitudinal studies one led by Dr. Je Hyun Seo, MD, PhD, and another by Dr. Moon Jeong Lee, MD found that higher levels of physical activity were linked to a slower rate of VF mean deviation (VF MD) decline in glaucoma patients.

Study by Seo and Colleagues
Dr. Je Hyun Seo, from the Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology, Hamilton Glaucoma Center, Shiley Eye Institute, University of California San Diego, along with colleagues from several institutions, conducted a study to evaluate how physical activity impacts glaucoma progression.

Participants with POAG who had at least five follow-up visits over two or more years completed a physical activity questionnaire at baseline. Physical activity was measured using a Physical Activity Index (PAI), metabolic equivalents of task (MET)-minutes, and walking pace.

A total of 131 eyes from 80 patients (median age 68.6 years) were included, with a median follow-up of 4.9 years. Univariable analysis showed that:

• Slower VF MD loss was linked to the active PAI category (+0.30 dB/year; P=0.041)
  
  

• Higher physical activity (+0.14 dB/year per 1,000 MET-minutes; P=0.036) correlated with slower decline
  
  

• Walking pace was not significantly associated with VF MD loss
  
  

Multivariable analysis confirmed that higher physical activity levels were independent predictors of slower VF MD loss (+0.15 dB/year per 1,000 MET-minutes; P=0.024). The authors suggested further research to determine whether increased activity can protect against glaucoma progression.

Study by Lee and Colleagues
In a separate study at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Moon Jeong Lee and team observed similar findings. Using accelerometers to track daily movement, they analyzed data from 141 glaucoma patients (mean age 64.9 years).

Key results showed that:

• Higher daily steps, more minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and increased non-sedentary time were associated with slower VF loss
  
  

• An additional 5,000 daily steps or 2.6 hours of non-sedentary activity reduced the average VF loss rate by about 10%
  
  

• Older age, non-Caucasian race, prior glaucoma or cataract surgery, and moderate baseline VF damage were linked to faster VF decline
  
  

Implications
Both studies suggest that physical activity could be a modifiable lifestyle factor in managing glaucoma progression. While more research is needed to confirm causality, maintaining an active lifestyle through walking, regular exercise, or simply reducing sedentary time may support better long-term eye health in POAG patients.

Conclusion
These findings reinforce the growing evidence that regular movement benefits more than just cardiovascular and metabolic health it may also protect vision in those living with glaucoma. Future clinical trials could establish exercise as a recommended part of glaucoma management, alongside medication and regular eye exams.