Resisted exercises for modulation of intraocular pressure in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma: A randomized clinical trial

Aim: Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is the most common type of glaucoma. Daily administration of topical medications for lowering the intraocular pressure (IOP) in POAG patients has many limitations, such as poor patient compliance and ocular allergy from repeated drug administration. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of adding resisted exercises to routine medical treatment on patients with primary open-angle glaucoma in comparison to routine medical treatment only. Material and Method: Thirty patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, aged between 40 and 50 years old, were randomly assigned into two equal groups: the study group and the control group. Both groups received their routine medical care. The study group received also resisted exercises for the upper limb 3 times a week for four weeks. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured using Goldmann Applanation Tonometry before (pre) and after (post) 4 weeks of application of resisted exercises treatment. Results: After training, significant improvements of IOP (decrease) were obtained in both eyes of patients in the study group whereas nonsignificant decrease was obtained in the control group. In addition, This study revealed that the reduction in IOP of both eyes (RT and LT) of patients in the study group post-exercise was significant in comparison to that of the control group after one month of treatment (p=0.001 and 0,000 respectively). The percentages of reductions of IOP in both eyes (RT and LT) of the study group were 13.5% and16.45% respectively while in the control were 0.95% and 1.7% respectively. Discussion: Adding upper limb resisted exercises to the traditional medical treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma has a clinical important in the reduction of intraocular pressure in those patients so open-angle glaucomatous patients should be encouraged to practice resisted exercises.