Asymmetry of diurnal intraocular pressure fluctuation between right and left eyes.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate diurnal curves of intraocular pressure (IOP) in the right and left eyes of non-glaucomatous patients.


METHODS
We measured IOP during waking hours and in habitual positions in 102 non-glaucomatous patients every 2 hr between 09.00 hr and 23.00 hr using a Goldman applanation tonometer. Individual factors and biometries were measured and associated with diurnal IOP variations.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in IOP variation between the right and left eyes over eight time-points (repeated measure anova, P = 0.995). The mean coefficient of IOP in the right and left eyes at the eight time-points ranged from 0.806 to 0.887. Forty-one (40.2%), 15 (14.7%) and five (4.9%) patients showed at least one asymmetrical IOP variation over seven time intervals at the cut-off value ≥ 2, ≥ 3 and > 3 mmHg, respectively. Mean incidence of asymmetrical IOP variation was 10.9 ± 1.6% at ≥ 2 mmHg, 2.9 ± 0.8% at ≥ 3 mmHg and 0.8 ± 0.4% at > 3 mmHg. Age, differences in anterior chamber depth, lens thickness and axial length showed several significant associations with the incidence of asymmetrical IOP variation.


CONCLUSIONS
Diurnal variation of IOP showed asymmetry between right and left eyes in patients without glaucoma. Ageing and differences in local ocular factors between bilateral eyes may affect the incidence of asymmetrical IOP variation.
Department of Ophthalmology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Mo Sae
MS
Kim
Joon Mo
JM
Kim
Ki Ho
KH
Park
Chul Young
CY
Choi
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D001699:Biometry; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D003315:Cornea / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular; D055815:Young Adult