Correlation between Body Mass Index and Intraocular Pressure

Abstract

Purpose: : To evaluate the correlation between body mass index (BMI) and intraocular pressure (IOP) after adjusting for risk factors.

Methods: : A prospective observational study was conducted in which the BMI (kg/m²) of each participant was calculated. IOP was measured with a Tono-Pen in the sitting and supine positions. Paired t-test was used to compare sitting to supine IOP. Stepwise regression analyses were used to investigate the correlation between IOP and BMI at these positions after adjusting for risk factors for increased IOP, including age, race, mean arterial blood pressure (MAP = 1/3 systolic pressure + 2/3 diastolic pressure), and central corneal thickness (CCT, in µm). A mixed effect model was used to investigate positional effects on the relationship between BMI and IOP.

Conclusions: : No significant correlation was found between IOP and BMI at the sitting position. Supine IOP was statistically correlated with higher BMI, the clinical significance is unknown. We hypothesize this may be related to a secondary compressive effect of increased body fat on the chest wall translating into increased central venous pressure.

Keywords: intraocular pressure