Impact of Physical Activity Levels on Visual Field Progression in Individuals With Glaucoma

Higher self-reported physical activity level was associated with a slower rate of visual field mean deviation loss in patients with primary open angle glaucoma.

To determine the impact of physical activity (PA) on visual field (VF) progression rates in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).

In this longitudinal study, POAG patients were included who had ≥5 visits, ≥2 years of follow-up VFs and underwent PA questionnaire at the baseline. PA levels were assessed using the physical activity index (PAI), metabolic equivalents of task (MET)-minutes, and walking pace. Univariable and multivariable linear mixed-effects models were used to determine the impact of PA levels on the rates of VF mean deviation (MD) loss.

One hundred thirty-one eyes from 80 POAG patients were included over a median follow-up of 4.9 (IQR: 4.0-6.7) years. The median age of patients was 68.6 (IQR: 59.3-77.8) years and the median baseline VF MD was -3.5 (IQR: -8.3 to -1.3). In the univariable analysis, slower VF MD loss was associated with active PAI category (0.30 [95% CI: 0.01-0.58] dB/year vs. inactive PAI category; P =0.041) and higher PA amount (0.14 [95% CI: 0.01-0.27] dB/year per 1000 MET-minutes; P =0.036). Significant association with the rate of VF MD loss was not found for baseline VF MD ( P =0.263) and walking pace ( Ps >0.05). In the multivariable analysis including glaucoma severity and other covariates, slower VF MD loss was associated with higher PA amounts (0.15 [95% CI: 0.02-0.28] dB/year per 1000 MET-minutes; P =0.024).

Higher PA amounts are an independent predictor of a slower rate of VF MD loss. Further research is needed to explore whether increased PA protects against glaucoma progression.