Effect of aerobic exercise alone or combined with Mediterranean diet on dry eye in obese hypertensive elderly.

Ali Mohamed Ali Ismail, Alshaymaa Shaaban Abd El-Azeim, Hatem Fawzy Abd Elfatah Abo Saif

Journal: Irish journal of medical science 2023;192(6):3151-3161

PMID: 37160570

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Plain Language Summary

Tear deficiency or excessive evaporation is the main descriptive definition of the tear film disorder, dry eye (DE). DE can damage the interpalpebral ocular surface with subsequent symptoms of ocular discomfort. Considering DE a lifestyle disease, the application of caloric restrictive and exercise approaches is an advisable lifestyle for DE patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a 6-month high-intensity interval aerobic exercise (conducted 30 min, 3 times weekly) alone or combined with a caloric-restriction approach, the Mediterranean diet (MD), on DE parameters in obese hypertensive elderly. This study was a single-blinded randomised controlled trial of DE parameters. The participants were randomly selected obese hypertensive patients with DE and were assigned to one of the two groups. Results showed that exercise (high-intensity interval aerobic bicycling - HIIAB) can significantly relieve DE symptoms. DE relief can be also maximised by the additional effect of MD in obese hypertensive elderly with DE. Authors concluded that DE patients who maintained a 6-month energy-expenditure protocol (a 30-min HIIAB, 3 times per week) exhibited more significant improvements in subjective and objective DE parameters when this exercise protocol accompanied by a dietary restriction program, MD.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Lifestyle modification is a newly recommended complementary treatment for dry eye (DE) disorder.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of a 6-month high-intensity interval aerobic exercise (HIIAE) (conducted 30 min, 3 times weekly) alone or combined with a caloric-restriction approach, the Mediterranean diet (MD), on DE parameters in obese hypertensive elderly.

THE DESIGN, SETTINGS, PARTICIPANTS, AND INTERVENTION

This is a randomized controlled trial included sixty obese hypertensive elderly with DE based on university-based hospital recruitment. Elderly were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n = 30 elderly received HIIAE plus MD) and control group (n = 30 elderly received only HIIAE). Besides anthropometry (abdominal circumference, body weight, and body mass index) and blood pressure (measured in systole and diastole), DE parameters (tear film break-up time, DE scoring system, ocular surface disability index questionnaire, Schirmer's test, and Oxford grading system) were evaluated.

RESULTS

Significant improvements in anthropometry, blood pressure, and DE parameters were higher in the experimental group than in the control group.

CONCLUSION

Aging-related DE symptoms and signs can be prevented and/or treated with HIIAE alone or combined with MD in obese hypertensive elderly with DE disorder.

Address: Department of Physical Therapy for Cardiovascular/Respiratory Disorder and Geriatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt. [email protected].; Basic Science Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.; Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

DOI: 10.1007/s11845-023-03387-6