EFFECT OF BICYCLE ERGOMETER TEST ON INTRAOCULAR-PRESSURE IN ELDERLY ATHLETES AND CONTROLS

To evaluate the effect of intensive physical exercise on intraocular p ressure (IOP) in 66- to 85-year-old subjects IOP was measured before a nd after a maximal bicycle ergometer test. The non-glaucomatous subjec ts comprised 85 male and 36 female athletes and 16 male and 22 female controls of corresponding age drawn from a population register. IOP wa s measured using a non-contact tonometer. The results indicated a decr ease (greater-than-or-equal-to 2 mmHg) in 34% of the subjects, no chan ge in 57% and an increase in 9%. The decrease was more pronounced in s ubjects with higher pre-test values. In all four subjects with a pre-t est value above 22 mmHg a reduction from 4 to 11 mmHg was observed. Th e change in IOP during physical loading was not significantly associat ed with the intensity and duration of the exercise test. Three of the 5 male subjects with diagnosed glaucoma and undergoing hypotensive med ication, who were analyzed separately, also showed a reduction in IOP during loading. In the pre- or post-test values there were no differen ces between the athletes and controls, while women tended to have high er IOP values than men. It is concluded that physical loading has pred ominantly a moderating effect, if any, on IOP in elderly men and women