Long-term regular exercise effect on retinal and choroidal structure: insights from real-life data

Aims: Exercise increases ocular perfusion pressure. The retina and choroid can autoregulate blood flow to a certain extent in response to this increase. Most of the studies have focused on short-term ophthalmologic effects of exercise and showed conflicting results. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of regular exercise on retinal and choroidal structures, as well as the potential contribution of exercise-related systemic changes. Methods: Participants who had engaged in regular exercise for at least two years were included in the study group, while those who had not exercised were assigned to the control group. Clinical assessments included blood pressure, heart rate, body-mass index, HbA1c, complete blood count, lipid profile, thyroid-stimulating hormone, fT3, fT4, and C-reactive protein. Retinal and choroidal thicknesses in the right eye were measured using optical coherence tomography. Results: The trained group consisted of 36 participants and the untrained group included 35 participants. The mean duration of regular exercise was 4.29±2.5 years. Choroidal thickness was greater at all measured points in the trained group compared with controls, with significant differences at nasal (p