Effect of religious fasting on intra-ocular pressure.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to find out the effect of religious fasting on intra-ocular pressure.


METHODS
Intra-ocular pressure by applanation tonometer was measured four times a day in 38 healthy young adult male patients. The mean age of patients was 29 years. Body weight was measured to assess the extent of dehydration caused by fasting.


RESULTS
There was a statistically significant difference between the intra-ocular pressure during fasting and the non-fasting period (P < 0.001). There was weight loss ranging from 0.4 to 1.5 kg.


CONCLUSIONS
Fasting alters the diurnal intra-ocular pressure in the study population, ie young males 22-38 years.
Dadeya
S
S
Guru Nanak Eye Centre Maulana Azad Medical College New Delhi 110002, India. dadeya86@hotmail.com
Kamlesh
Shibal
F
F
Khurana
C
C
Khanna
A
A
D000328:Adult; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D003681:Dehydration / Q000503:physiopathology; D005215:Fasting / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D012067:Religion