Distribution of Intraocular Pressure and Cup Disk Ratio in Children From Campina Grande Do Sul - South Region of Brazil

Abstract

 

Purpose:

 

To assess intraocular pressure (IOP) and vertical cup/disc ratio (VCDR) distribution on children from Campina Grande do Sul city, South region of Brazil.

 

Methods:

 

Children from 6-10 years old underwent an ophthalmic examination at local elementary schools that included visual acuity, Perkins tonometry and fundoscopy. Properly trained Ophthalmology residents performed the last two exams, and a fellowship trained glaucoma specialist verified any unusual appearance of the optic disc and VCDR. Those with any ocular abnormalities underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic at University hospital.

 

Results:

 

A total of 3,173 children was examined (participation rate of 86.7%). The mean age was 7.9±1.4 years, 51.5% was female and 78% was white. Table 1 show the mean IOP and median VCDR according to age, gender and race. There were no significant differences of the IOP between the gender or race. IOP increased with age (r=0.10, p<0.001). The VCDR of the Non-white children was greater than the White ones (0.20±0.13 vs. 0.19±0.13; p=0.003). In the non-White group, boys showed a greater VCDR than girls (0.20±0.13 vs. 0.18±0.12; p<0.001). No significant association between age and VCDR was observed. There were 14 (0.44%) children with VCDR greater than 0.7 and 111 (3.5%) had VCDR asymmetry greater than 0.2. Five children (0.16%) have presented IOP greater than 22mmHg in at least one eye.

 

Conclusions:

 

In this cross-sectional study, an association between IOP and age was observed. Non-White children showed greater VCDR when compared to White children. However, optic disk size might have influence our results, as no objective method of assessing disc size was used.TABLE 1 - Intra-ocular Pressure (IOP) and Vertical Cup Disk Ratio (VCDR) Distribution according with Age, Gender and Race  

 

Keywords: intraocular pressure • optic disc • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: biostatistics/epidemiology methodology