Research Article

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

Volume: 7 Number: 5 September 15, 2025
TR EN

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

Abstract

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<0.05) and subfoveal (p<0.01) measurements. Red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and eosinophil counts were also significantly higher in the trained group. Conclusion: This study is, to our knowledge, the first to investigate the effects of long-term, consistent physical activity by non professionals in real-life settings on retinal and choroidal structures. Choroidal autoregulation normally maintains stable blood flow even when ocular perfusion pressure rises during exercise. However, the observed long-term choroidal thickening suggests that prolonged physical activity may exceed this regulatory capacity.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Etik Kurul Onayı alındı.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Ophthalmology and Optometry (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 15, 2025

Submission Date

August 4, 2025

Acceptance Date

September 1, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 7 Number: 5

APA
Demir, N., Dalkılıç, H. G., Kayhan, B., Tükel, N., Serindağ, Z., & Kaplan, M. (2025). Long-term regular exercise effect on retinal and choroidal structure: insights from real-life data. Anatolian Current Medical Journal, 7(5), 635-641. https://doi.org/10.38053/acmj.1757798
AMA
1.Demir N, Dalkılıç HG, Kayhan B, Tükel N, Serindağ Z, Kaplan M. Long-term regular exercise effect on retinal and choroidal structure: insights from real-life data. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj. 2025;7(5):635-641. doi:10.38053/acmj.1757798
Chicago
Demir, Nur, Hasine Gözde Dalkılıç, Belma Kayhan, Nurgül Tükel, Zeliha Serindağ, and Mustafa Kaplan. 2025. “Long-Term Regular Exercise Effect on Retinal and Choroidal Structure: Insights from Real-Life Data”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 7 (5): 635-41. https://doi.org/10.38053/acmj.1757798.
EndNote
Demir N, Dalkılıç HG, Kayhan B, Tükel N, Serindağ Z, Kaplan M (September 1, 2025) Long-term regular exercise effect on retinal and choroidal structure: insights from real-life data. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 7 5 635–641.
IEEE
[1]N. Demir, H. G. Dalkılıç, B. Kayhan, N. Tükel, Z. Serindağ, and M. Kaplan, “Long-term regular exercise effect on retinal and choroidal structure: insights from real-life data”, Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj, vol. 7, no. 5, pp. 635–641, Sept. 2025, doi: 10.38053/acmj.1757798.
ISNAD
Demir, Nur - Dalkılıç, Hasine Gözde - Kayhan, Belma - Tükel, Nurgül - Serindağ, Zeliha - Kaplan, Mustafa. “Long-Term Regular Exercise Effect on Retinal and Choroidal Structure: Insights from Real-Life Data”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 7/5 (September 1, 2025): 635-641. https://doi.org/10.38053/acmj.1757798.
JAMA
1.Demir N, Dalkılıç HG, Kayhan B, Tükel N, Serindağ Z, Kaplan M. Long-term regular exercise effect on retinal and choroidal structure: insights from real-life data. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj. 2025;7:635–641.
MLA
Demir, Nur, et al. “Long-Term Regular Exercise Effect on Retinal and Choroidal Structure: Insights from Real-Life Data”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal, vol. 7, no. 5, Sept. 2025, pp. 635-41, doi:10.38053/acmj.1757798.
Vancouver
1.Nur Demir, Hasine Gözde Dalkılıç, Belma Kayhan, Nurgül Tükel, Zeliha Serindağ, Mustafa Kaplan. Long-term regular exercise effect on retinal and choroidal structure: insights from real-life data. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj. 2025 Sep. 1;7(5):635-41. doi:10.38053/acmj.1757798

 

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