Intraocular Pressure Fluctuation Throughout the Day

Abstract

Purpose To compare intraocular pressure (IOP) values at different time points, both in the total sample and according to iridocorneal angle aperture, to assess whether IOP fluctuations were constant throughout the day, and to examine correlations with other factors. Methods Over a single day, the IOP of 34 volunteers was measured at three-hour intervals from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. To avoid any IOP value being affected by other measurements, anamnesis, slit-lamp evaluation (with iridocorneal angle measurement), and refractive status were performed after the final measurement. The differences between IOP values at different time points and IOP fluctuation at three-hour intervals were compared by ANOVA and Friedman test, respectively, both for the total group and according to iridocorneal angle aperture. For relationships, Pearson's correlation was performed for parametric variables and Spearman's correlation for nonparametric variables. Results Significant differences were observed in IOP between time points for the total sample (p < 0.001), but not for a narrow-angle group (p = 0.058). No significant differences were found in IOP fluctuations at three-hour intervals either in the total sample or according to angle aperture (all p ≥ 0.332). There was a positive correlation of IOP at different time points (all r ≥ 0.646, all p < 0.001) but no relationship with spherical equivalent, age, or sleep duration (all p ≥ 0.057). IOP at 12:00 p.m. was correlated with a 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. fluctuation (r = 0.428, p = 0.012); and IOP fluctuation between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. was correlated with age (r = 0.485, p = 0.004). Conclusion As IOP decreases from morning until at least 6:00 p.m., measuring these two values during clinical evaluation is essential for the effective monitoring and prevention of IOP-related diseases.