Abstract
Purpose: :
Short-term and long-term intraocular pressure (IOP) fluctuations have been considered as important risk factors for glaucoma. Distinct swimming goggles have been suggested to elevate IOP differently. The aim of this study was to investigate individual factors related to the IOP increase caused by periocular compression resulting from the use of swimming goggles (SG).
Methods: :
One eye each of 12 healthy volunteers was randomly evaluated before (T0), during (T1) and after (T2) the use of a professional SG. Holes were drilled into the lenses to allow IOP measurement by Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT). GAT was performed before SG wear, 2 min after SG application and after SG removal (5 min). Scleral rigidity (calculated using Schiotz tonometer readings), orbital rim area, Hertel exophthalmometry, spherical equivalent, axial eye length, corneal thickness and elastic force of the rubber (considering head circumferences) were considered as potential variables related to the IOP changes.
Results: :
IOP increased significantly while wearing SG by a mean±SD pressure of 6.2±2.8 mmHg (P=0.0025; Wilcoxon signed rank test). Friedman test showed significant differences in GAT results between T0, T1 and T2 (12.8 mmHg, 19.0 mmHg and 8.7 mmHg, respectively; P<0.0001). Orbital rim area showed a significant correlation with IOP elevation (Spearman r=0.69; P=0.0013). No other factor studied could be significantly associated.
Conclusions: :
Based on our results, SG provoked an acute increase of the IOP. Anatomical characteristics of the periocular region, specifically the orbital rim area, can be associated with different ranges of IOP elevation. Individual SG designs based on face dimensions should be considered by the manufacturers.
Keywords: anatomy • intraocular pressure • orbit