The effects of physical exercise on ocular blood flow

Abstract

Vascular resistance is physiologically regulated by changing the local diameter of the arterioles to keep the local blood flow constant. It is well known that physical activity has profound impacts on the vasculature in humans. Short‐term exercise induces immediate changes in artery function, whereas long‐term exercise induces chronic functional adaptation and structural arterial remodelling which leads to a lower risk of risk for cardiovascular disease. These changes depended on the characteristics of the training load and are modulated by other factors such as exercise‐induced inflammation and oxidative stress.The ocular circulation consists of the retinal and choroidal circulations. The retina is the tissue with the most active metabolism in the human body, resulting in a high rate of oxygen consumption. Therefore, ocular blood flow is particularly susceptible to physical exercise. With the arrival of imaging technologies numerous studies have explored the effects of exercise on the ocular blood flow. Most of these studies are focused on the transient impact of acute exercise on ocular blood flow. The objective of this talk is to discuss the scientific literature available about the effects of physical exercise on ocular blood flow, and to highlight its impact on ocular health.