High-intensity interval training in patients with glaucoma (HIT-GLAUCOMA): protocol for a multicenter randomized...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Cardiovascular Health
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness, with a significant portion of patients progressing despite reduced intraocular pressure (IOP).
• Retinal microvascular dysfunction, inflammation, and oxidative stress are implicated in glaucoma progression.
• Exercise training shows promise as an adjunctive therapy to mitigate these underlying mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a 6-month high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program on glaucoma patients.
• To assess changes in retinal microvascular function, systemic arterial function, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
• To determine the effect of exercise on clinical glaucoma endpoints and quality of life.

Main Methods:

• A multi-center, randomized controlled trial involving 128 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.
• Patients are randomized to either an exercise intervention group or a usual care control group.
• Primary endpoints include retinal arteriolar/venular flicker light-induced dilation and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation at 6 months.

Main Results:

• Exercise therapy is hypothesized to enhance retinal microvascular function and ocular blood flow.
• The study will analyze effects on visual fields, optic nerve health, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, IOP, medication use, and quality of life.
• Anticipated outcomes include improved microvascular function and potentially slowed glaucoma progression.

Conclusions:

• The HIT-GLAUCOMA trial explores exercise as a novel add-on treatment for glaucoma.
• Findings could establish exercise as a strategy to improve ocular blood flow and general health in glaucoma patients.
• Successful results may lead to new therapeutic avenues for managing this neurodegenerative disease.