Retinal Neurovascular and Mitochondrial Function Signatures in Response to a 24-Week Yoga Intervention in Healthy Adults.

PURPOSE: To evaluate changes in retinal neurovascular and mitochondrial function after a 24-week yoga intervention in healthy older adults.

METHODS

Thirty participants (mean age 72 ± 6 years; 25 females, 5 males) were randomized to either a cue-based yoga program (n = 15) or traditional Hatha yoga (n = 15), with 60-minute sessions three times per week for 24 weeks. Retinal assessments were conducted at baseline and follow-up. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was used to evaluate retinal structure and vessel density. Retinal blood flow was measured with the Retinal Function Imager, and mitochondrial function was assessed via macular flavoprotein fluorescence using the OcuMet Beacon.

RESULTS

Significant increases were observed in retinal blood flow (2.21 to 2.72 nL/s, P = 0.002), capillary function (0.12 to 0.14 nL/s/mm, P = 0.004), and tissue perfusion (1.91 to 2.38 nL/s/mm³, P = 0.004). Macular flavoprotein fluorescence decreased (31.7 to 30.1 gsu, P = 0.041), suggesting improved mitochondrial function. No significant changes were found in vessel density, vessel length density, foveal avascular zone area, choriocapillaris density, or total retinal thickness. Between-group differences were mostly nonsignificant, except for baseline and change values in choriocapillaris density and change values in retinal thickness (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

A 24-week yoga intervention was associated with improved retinal blood flow, capillary efficiency, and tissue perfusion in healthy older adults, with indications of enhanced mitochondrial function. These findings suggest yoga may support retinal vascular and metabolic health during aging.