Wearing swimming goggles can elevate intraocular pressure.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the acute effects of wearing swimming goggles upon intraocular pressure (IOP).


METHODS
This research consisted of a Pilot study and a Validation study. Holes were drilled into the faces of 13 different goggles to allow IOP measurement by applanation tonometry. IOP was measured before goggles wear, 2 min after goggles application, 20 min after goggles application and after goggles removal. The Pilot study (n = 15) was initially performed to investigate changes in IOP while wearing five different types of swimming goggles. Anatomical and goggles design parameters from the Pilot study were then used to generate a predictive model and design a Validation study (n = 20). The Validation study tested the predictive model, examined IOP changes using another eight goggles and clarified whether IOP changes were sustained for the duration of goggles wear.


RESULTS
IOP increased while wearing goggles by a mean pressure of 4.5 mm Hg (SD 3.7, p<0.001) with this pressure rise being sustained for the duration of goggles wear. A smaller goggles face area (p = 0.013), was consistently associated with greater IOP elevation.


CONCLUSIONS
These measurements were not taken while swimming, but they suggest that some swimming goggles can elevate IOP.
Morgan
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WH
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Lions Eye Institute, University of Western Australia, Western Australia, Australia. whmorgan@cyllene.uwa.edu.au
Cunneen
T S
TS
Balaratnasingam
C
C
Yu
D-Y
DY
D000328:Adult; D005135:Eye Protective Devices / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009915:Orbit / Q000502:physiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013550:Swimming; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular / Q000379:methods