[Effects of reading, exercise and exercise combined with reading on intraocular pressure for patients sustaining primary glaucoma (open angle) or ocular hypertension, both clinically controlled with topic medication].

PURPOSE: To check intraocular pressure (IOP) in individuals using prostaglandin, prostamide or beta-blocker analogues, who sustain either primary open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension after reading, exercise or exercise combined with reading.

METHODS

40 individuals (79 eyes), subdivided in to five groups: G1 (with arterial hypertension and either glaucoma or ocular hypertension, all users of prostaglandin or prostamide analogues); G2 (with arterial hypertension and either glaucoma or ocular hypertension, all users of beta-blockers); G3 (not sustaining arterial hypertension but suffering from either glaucoma or ocular hypertension, all users of prostaglandin or prostamide analogues); G4 (not sustaining arterial hypertension but suffering from either glaucoma or ocular hypertension, all users of beta-blockers) and G5 (not sustaining arterial hypertension and also not suffering from either glaucoma or ocular hypertension) had their intraocular pressure checked before and after undergoing reading, exercise, and exercise combined with reading. Each type of test was conducted in a different day, always in the afternoon.

RESULTS

No significant statistical difference has been noticed between the initial and final intraocular pressure mean in the different groups, when reading, performing exercises or exercises combined with reading.

CONCLUSION

To read and to work out--either separately or jointly--does not pose an aggravating factor to the intraocular pressure of patients with primary open glaucoma or ocular hypertension, using prostaglandin, prostamide or beta-blocker analogues.