Effect of Asanas in Yoga on Intraocular Pressure of Practicing Healthy Individuals: a Prospective Observational Study.

Introduction

Yoga is focused attention by breath and mantra. This forms the basis for a scientific investigation of its effect on various physiological functions such as intraocular pressure (IOP).

Objective

To evaluate the effect of asanas in Yoga on the IOP of practicing individuals.

Methods

A prospective, observational study was performed on 107 volunteers practising the asanas such as Sun salutation exercise (Surya Namaskar), Skull shining breath (Kapalabhati Pranayama), Downward facing dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana), Standing forward bend (Uttanasana), Legs up the wall pose (Viparita Karani), Alternate breathing technique (Anulom Vilom), Deep meditation (Dhyana), Bellows breath (Bhastrika Pranayama), Yoga head stand (Shirshasana) and control of breathing exercise (Pranayama) each for five minutes/day (40-60 minutes) for at least five days in a week for 12 weeks. The IOP measurement was performed for each asana (before and after) at baseline and every four weeks. The primary outcome was the change in IOP. Statistical analyses were performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23.0. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The mean age of the participants was 42.64±7 years, and the male to female ratio was 1.2:1. Skull shinning breath, Sun salutation, Downward facing dog, Standing forward bend, Legs up the wall pose, Deep meditation and alternate breathing techniques showed a significant mean reduction in IOP at baseline, followed by every four weeks, till week 12, while Yoga head stand, Bellows breath and control of breath led to a significant increase in IOP.

Conclusion

Yoga head stand, Bellows breath and control of breathing technique worsen IOP transiently.