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The Effect of Yoga on Intraocular Pressure Using the "iCare HOME2" Tonometer
Tania Darja Shajiei1,2, Josephine Wachtl2, Angelika Schuknecht1,2
1Ophthalmology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Klinische Monatsblatter Fur Augenheilkunde
|April 23, 2024
Summary
Common yoga poses can significantly increase intraocular pressure (IOP) in both healthy and glaucoma patients, especially head-down positions. Glaucoma patients should exercise caution with yoga to avoid potential risks to vision.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Physiology
- Integrative Medicine
Background:
- Intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation is a risk factor for glaucoma progression.
- Certain yoga postures may impact IOP, posing a potential risk.
- The iCare HOME2 self-tonometer allows for IOP measurement outside clinical settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the immediate effect of common yoga postures on IOP in healthy and glaucomatous eyes.
- To compare IOP recovery time in healthy versus glaucoma patients after yoga.
- To utilize the iCare HOME2 self-tonometer for IOP assessment during yoga.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, observational study involving 25 healthy and 25 glaucoma participants.
- Participants performed four yoga positions (Viparita Karani, Uttanasana, Halasana, Adho Mukha Svanasana) for 90 seconds each.
- IOP was measured using the iCare HOME2 before, during, and after each yoga posture.
Main Results:
- All tested yoga positions caused a significant IOP increase in both healthy and glaucoma eyes.
- Head-down positions, particularly "down face dog," resulted in the highest IOP elevations, exceeding 31 mmHg.
- No statistically significant difference in IOP response or recovery was observed between healthy and glaucoma groups.
Conclusions:
- Common yoga poses can acutely elevate IOP in healthy and glaucoma eyes, with head-down poses posing a higher risk.
- Glaucoma patients are advised to carefully select yoga exercises due to potential IOP spikes.
- Further research is needed to determine if yoga practice contributes to glaucoma progression.
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