Relationship between intraocular pressure and obesity in children.
OBJECTIVE
To establish the relationship between intraocular pressure (IOP) and obesity in children.


METHODS
Seventy-two obese children (body mass index in the 95th percentile or greater) were compared with 72 age-matched and sex-matched controls (body mass index <95th percentile). Both groups underwent Goldmann applanation tonometry (3 times), blood pressure measurement (3 times), and Hertel exophthalmometry. Paired and unpaired t tests and the Cochran-Mantel-Haenzel statistics were used for statistical analysis.


RESULTS
The mean IOP between the obese children and controls were significantly different (P<0.0001), even after adjusting for systolic and diastolic blood pressure (P<0.001). Diurnal variation of IOP was higher in obese children (P<0.001). Obese children had higher Hertel values (P<0.001). Sex did not significantly effect IOP in either group (P>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
In addition to its indirect effect on IOP via blood pressure change, obesity is also an independent risk factor for increased IOP.
Akinci
Arsen
A
Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Diskapi Children's Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. arsenakinci@yahoo.com
Cetinkaya
Ergun
E
Aycan
Zehra
Z
Oner
Ozgur
O
D000293:Adolescent; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D005094:Exophthalmos / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular