WALKING 10,000 STEPS DAILY AND GLAUCOMA

 

In the 1960s, a Japanese company created a pedometer called ‘Manpo-kei,’ which translates to ‘10,000 steps meter.’ The number was chosen because it sounded catchy and promoted an active lifestyle. Therefore, the common 10,000 steps daily concept did not originate from any health organization guidelines. Instead, it was merely a trendy marketing idea. 

However, modern research has since validated the health benefits of walking more daily, even if 10,000 isn’t a strict requirement.

Walking 10,000 steps per day provides individuals with a specific goal. It helps people avoid a sedentary lifestyle, which is linked with health issues like heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, osteoporosis, depression, and anxiety.

Studies show that increasing daily step count is associated with lower mortality risk, improved cardiovascular health, lower cardiovascular-associated mortality, a decreased cancer risk, and better metabolic function. 

Movement releases endorphins, helping to reduce stress and boost mood.

A study by Yuanbo et al, published in the recent edition of the Journal of Glaucoma, has shown that patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) with average daily steps (ADS) of more than 10,000 exhibited higher papillary (optic disc) vessel density (VD) compared with those with ADS less than 10,000. This indicates that increasing daily steps, particularly exceeding 10,000 steps, may potentially enhance ocular blood flow. (1)

The study reported that papillary VD was significantly denser in the ADS >10,000 group (ADS:12782±2925) compared with that of the ADS ≤10,000 group (ADS:7418±1543).

Therefore, the 10,000 daily step routine can be a useful regimen for POAG patients to improve ocular blood flow. Vascular abnormalities have been associated with the development and progression of glaucoma. (2)

REFERENCE:

1. Liang, Yuanbo MD, PhD; Yu, Yun PhD; Wen, Xin MD; Wang, Mei MD, PhD; Lan, Yuqing MD, PhD; Pan, Xiafei MD,. Walking More Than 10,000 Steps Per Day May Be Associated With Increased Optic Disc Vessel Density in Patients With Primary Open Angle Glaucoma. Journal of Glaucoma 34(4):p 249-255, April 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/IJG.0000000000002548
2. Ahmad SS. Controversies in the vascular theory of glaucomatous optic nerve degeneration. Taiwan J Ophthalmol. 2016 Oct-Dec;6(4):182-186. doi: 10.1016/j.tjo.2016.05.009. Epub 2016 Aug 1. PMID: 29018738; PMCID: PMC5525630.