Emmanuel Eric Pazo

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Impact of Ocular Massage on Intraocular Pressure and Schlemm Canal Dimensions in Healthy Adults: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Mingxuan Zhang, Luning Qin, Liangzhang Tan, Yongtao Li, Qing Zhang, Shuhan Wang, Zhihui Zhang, Emmanuel Eric Pazo, Xinjun Ren

JMIR Research Protocols, 2025 · article · doi:10.2196/78864 · Open access (CC BY)

Retina & vascular imaging

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Ocular massage has been reported to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) temporarily. This effect could be related to enhanced aqueous humor outflow; however, the mechanism is unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine the impact of digital and EyePeace ocular massage on IOP fluctuations and investigate whether the observed reduction in IOP is attributable to morphological changes in the Schlemm canal (SC). METHODS: Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to 1 of 3 groups: digital ocular massage, EyePeace ocular massage, or no ocular massage. The primary outcome measure will be IOP. The secondary outcome measures will include anterior segment optical coherence tomography assessment of the SC and trabecular meshwork. In addition, adverse events in the quality of vision will be monitored and documented using a mobile app-based questionnaire. All assessments will be performed at baseline and 10 minutes after the assigned interventions. RESULTS: Data collection was completed in the summer of 2025. The study results are expected to be published by the end of 2025. CONCLUSIONS: This study will investigate the impact of ocular massage on IOP and SC dimensions by using a randomized controlled design. As preliminary evidence suggests that ocular massage may transiently reduce IOP by enhancing aqueous humor outflow, this study will aim to clarify the underlying mechanism. By comparing digital ocular massage, EyePeace ocular massage, and no ocular massage, the study will assess changes in IOP and SC morphology. The findings are expected to provide insights into the role of mechanical manipulation in modulating aqueous humor outflow, potentially informing nonpharmacological strategies for possible glaucoma management. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2400093512; https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=250459. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/78864.

Keywords: ocular massage; intraocular pressure; Schlemm's canal; aqueous humor outflow; trabecular meshwork; glaucoma management; non-pharmacological treatment; anterior segment optical coherence tomography

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How to cite

Zhang, M., Qin, L., Tan, L., Li, Y., Zhang, Q., Wang, S., Zhang, Z., Pazo, E. E., Ren, X. (2025). Impact of Ocular Massage on Intraocular Pressure and Schlemm Canal Dimensions in Healthy Adults: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Research Protocols. https://doi.org/10.2196/78864

@article{zhang2025impact,
  title = {{Impact of Ocular Massage on Intraocular Pressure and Schlemm Canal Dimensions in Healthy Adults: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial}},
  author = {Zhang, Mingxuan and Qin, Luning and Tan, Liangzhang and Li, Yongtao and Zhang, Qing and Wang, Shuhan and Zhang, Zhihui and Pazo, Emmanuel Eric and Ren, Xinjun},
  journal = {JMIR Research Protocols},
  year = {2025},
  doi = {10.2196/78864},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.2196/78864},
}

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