BackgroundWith the increasing number of people participating in physical aerobic exercise, jogging in particular, we considered that it would be worth knowing if there are should be limits to the exercise with regard to the intraocular pressure (IOP) of the eyes. The purpose of this study is to check IOP in healthy and primary glaucoma patients after aerobic exercise.Methods145 individuals were subdivided into seven groups: normotensives who exercised regularly (Group A); normotensives in whose right eye (RE) timolol maleate 0.5% (Group B), latanoprost 0.005% (Group C), or brimonidine tartrate 0.2% (Group D) was instilled; and primary glaucoma patients under monotherapy with β-blockers (Group E), prostaglandin analogues (Group F) or combined antiglaucoma treatment (Group G) instilled in both eyes. The IOP of both eyes was measured before and after exercise.ResultsA statistically significant decrease was found in IOP during jogging. The aerobic exercise reduces the IOP in those eyes where a b-blocker, a prostaglandin analogue or an α-agonist was previously instilled. The IOP is also decreased in glaucoma patients who are already under antiglaucoma treatment.ConclusionThere is no ocular restriction for simple glaucoma patients in performing aerobic physical activity.

IOP decreases after jogging. Changes in BP and HR values have no linear quantitative correlation with IOP decrease.

Purpose:To evaluate the influence of commonly used eye drops on contrast sensitivity (CS). Design: Prospective study. Participants: One hundred twenty volunteers were enrolled. Methods: The CS of ophthalmologically healthy individuals was evaluated at baseline examination before the instillation, 20 and 40 minutes after the instillation of diclofenac sodium and commonly used anti-glaucoma eye drops (latanoprost, brimonidine tartrate, combination of dorzolamide hydrochloride and timolol maleate). CS was assessed at 7 spatial frequencies varying from 1.5 c/d to 20 c/d by the use of Mentor B-VAT II-SG video acuity tester. Results: Diclofenac sodium induced a mild, however statistically significant decrease on the CS in 4 out of 30 subjects 20 minutes after instillation at the spatial frequency of 1.5 c/d and 3 c/d (p < 0.05 for both frequencies). Latanoprost induced a decrease in CS in 1 out of 30 subjects and combination of dorzolamide hydrochloride and timolol maleate in 2 out of 30 at low spatial frequencies (1.5 c/d and 3 c/d) 20 minutes after the instillation and this decrease was not statistically significant for any of these drugs (p > 0.05). Brimonidine tartrate decreased CS in 4 out of 30 subjects 20 minutes after the instillation at a high spatial frequency (20 c/d) yet this decrease was marginally statistically significant (p = 0.057). CS returned to baseline scores 40 minutes after the instillation for all drugs. Conclusions: Diclofenac sodium eye drops had a mild temporal effect on the low spatial frequencies of 1.5 c/d and 3 c/d in some individuals. Latanoprost and dorzolamide/timolol had a non-statistically significant effect on the same spatial frequencies. Brimonidine eye drops had a temporal effect on the high spatial frequency of 20 c/d with marginal statistical significance. The CS scores returned to normal, in all cases, within the next 40 minutes after the instillation. Ophthalmologists should be aware of the fact that some eye drops may have an influence on CS.

Purpose: To record and relate the cap‐to‐disc ratio (C/D ratio), as assessed by ophthalmoscopy and the evening intraocular pressure (IOP) of normal individuals of various age groups. Methods: 467 normal individuals, randomly selected, were examined by the same experienced ophthalmologist. The C/D ratio was assessed by ophthalmoscopy and the IOP was measured in the evening by Applanation Tonometry. The individuals were divided into three age groups (Group A: 120 individuals 20‐40 years old, Group B: 233 individuals 41‐60 years old, Group C: 114 individuals 61‐80 years old). Results: Group A: C/D ratio ranged from 0 to 0.9 (mean±SD 0.496±0.221) and IOP ranged from 8 to 22 mmHg (mean±SD 13.35±2.650 mmHg). Group B: C/D ratio ranged from 0 to 0.85 (mean±SD 0.452±0.212) and IOP ranged from 8 to 22 mmHg (mean ± SD 14.079 ± 2.781 mmHg). Group C: C/D ratio ranged from 0 to 0.85 (mean±SD 0.499±0.221) and IOP ranged from 10 to 20 mmHg (mean±SD 14.133±2.419 mmHg). The relation (r) between IOP and C/D ratio was as follows: Group A: r = 0.268 (p<0.001), Group B: r = 0.063 (p<0.001), Group C: r = 0.109 (p<0.001). Conclusions: The C/D ratio values were, in general, larger in individuals with higher IOP values. However, this relation was weak though statistically significant. In Group B the relation was of lower statistical significance than in the Group A and in the Group C. This weak relation is possibly indicative that other factors except for IOP contribute to the final C/D ratio of normal individuals. There are individuals with high C/D ratios and relatively low IOP values and vice versa. The examiner is responsible for identifying cases which should undergo further investigation.

Purpose To evaluate the influence of Brimonidine tartrate on contrast sensitivity (CS). Methods Thirty ophthalmologically healthy Caucasian individuals (15 male, 15 female), aged from 21 to 55 underwent CS testing. The examination was repeated 20 and 40 minutes after the instillation of brimonidine tartrate eye drops unilaterally. The fellow eye served as control. Results All the examined individuals had normal visual acuity, color perception and CS before the drop instillation. Four of them complained for a temporary blurred vision at the eye in which brimonidine tartrate was instilled. These four individuals had impaired CS in high spatial frequencies (20 cycles/degree), in the examination performed 20 minutes after the instillation. The CS normalized again in the third CS evaluation performed 40 minutes after the instillation. Conclusion The temporarily blurred vision of some individuals after brimonidine tartrate eye drop instillation is related with a decrease of spatial CS in high frequencies. Within this time period of 40 minutes after the instillation, individuals who experience visual disturbances should avoid activities that demand high visual efficacy or postpone the instillation for a more convenient time in relation to the visual disturbance they experience.