RELATIONSHIP OF AGE WITH INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE AND CENTRAL CORNEAL THICKNESS IN HYPERTENSIVE AND NONHYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS

Abstract

Background:

Increased Intraocular Pressure (IOP) is the main risk factor for glaucoma and a principal cause of permanent blindness throughout the world. Glaucoma has been significantly linked with aging. The objective of this study is to correlate the effect of age on IOP and Central Corneal Thickness (CCT) in hypertensive and non-hypertensive subjects of the Pakistani population.

Material and Methods:

54 hypertensive and 54 non-hypertensive subjects, taken from Eye OPD Mayo Hospital, were studied. A mercuric sphygmomanometer was used to determine the blood pressure after written informed consent. Assessment of IOP was done by Goldmann applanation tonometer by using 2% fluorescein strips. An ultrasound pachymeter was used for the measurement of CCT.

Results:

IOP decreased with age and depicted a weak and negative association in patients with hypertension while CCT showed a weak and positive association with age among hypertensives.

Conclusion:

As age increases, the levels of IOP decrease and CCT shows a weak and positive correlation with age in hypertensive patients