Yogic pranayama and diaphragmatic breathing (YPDB) exercises can be a beneficial adjunctive therapy for glaucoma patients; however, they are not a substitute for medications or treatment options such as eye drops, according to a study published in Journal of Glaucoma.
Researchers randomised 90 patients with moderate-to-severe primary open-angle glaucoma 1:1 to either a YPDB group or control group. Participants were using eye drops, which they continued for the study. The YPDB group also practised deep breathing techniques for 30 minutes every morning with an instructor for four weeks, then at home.
IOP was measured in both eyes at baseline and at one-, three- and six-month follow-ups. In the control group, mean IOP significantly decreased from 19.51mmHg at enrolment to 15.76 mmHg at six months (right eye) and from 19.32mmHg to 15.32 mmHg (left).
Mean IOP also significantly reduced in both eyes of the YPDB group from 20.85mmHg to 14.90mmHg (right eye); and from 20.30mmHg to 14.25mmHg (left). However, within-group comparisons showed only the YPDB group had significant reductions in mean IOP at six months, with 40 YPDB participants (89%) attaining IOP reduction greater than 28%.
“Considering the similarities between glaucoma pathogenesis and stress-associated changes, there is a possibility that IOP can be normalised if stress is counteracted by means of relaxation techniques,” the authors wrote. “Among alternative and complementary therapies, yoga is widely used to improve quality of life. “Relaxation techniques have been reported to reduce IOP and improve neuroendocrine regulation of the ciliary body and the production of aqueous humor.”
Reference
www.healio.com/news/optometry/20220111/yoga-breathing-exercises-lower-iop-in-primary-openangle-glaucoma
