Physical Activity Is Associated With Macular Thickness: A Multi-Cohort Observational Study

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neuroscience
• Public Health

Background:

• Primary open-angle glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness.
• Macular thinning, specifically of the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL), is a key indicator of glaucoma progression.
• Understanding modifiable risk factors like physical activity is crucial for glaucoma management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between physical activity levels and the rate of macular thinning measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).
• To explore the neuroprotective potential of exercise on retinal structure in adults with glaucoma.

Main Methods:

• Utilized accelerometer data to quantify physical activity in participants from the PROGRESSA study and the UK Biobank.
• Measured macular GCIPL thinning rates using SD-OCT in the PROGRESSA cohort (735 eyes).
• Assessed cross-sectional macular thickness in the UK Biobank cohort (8862 eyes), adjusting for relevant demographic and comorbidity factors.

Main Results:

• Higher physical activity was significantly associated with slower rates of macular GCIPL thinning in the PROGRESSA study (P=0.003).
• Participants with higher daily step counts showed significantly slower thinning rates.
• Physical activity also showed a positive association with cross-sectional macular thickness in the UK Biobank cohort (P<0.001).

Conclusions:

• Findings suggest that greater physical activity is associated with reduced macular thinning in individuals with glaucoma.
• Exercise may exert neuroprotective effects on the retina, potentially slowing glaucoma progression.
• Promoting physical activity could be a beneficial strategy in the comprehensive management of glaucoma.