Intra–ocular Pressure and Age: cross sectional study of 3423 patients over 40 years of age.

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose:To assess the influence of age on intraocular pressure (IOP) in a population aged over 40 years old. Methods: In this cross sectional study all citizens over 40 years of age from Piraquara city, south region of Brazil, were invited to participate in a glaucoma screening project. All subjects were submitted to an interview, biomicroscopy, tonometry, fundoscopy, systemic arterial pressure and glicemia measurements. Intraocular pressure was measured using Goldmann applanation tonometry. Subjects in current treatment for glaucoma were excluded. The relationship between IOP and age were evaluated in four groups: in the first one all the participants were included. In the second group all glaucomatous patients were excluded. In third group all the glaucomatous and systemic arterial hypertension patients were excluded. In the fourth group, all diabetic patients were also excluded. In all four groups, subjects were divided in subgroups of age (40–44; 45–49; 50–54; 55–59; above 60 years old). The variation on IOP means in the subgroups of age were analyzed through ANOVA test and Pearson’s linear regression was also calculated. Results: A total of 3423 subjects were evaluated; 2046 (59,77%) were females. The mean age was 54,11 + 10,55; and the mean IOP value was 15,51 + 3,83 mmHg. It was not observed any significant difference among the subgroups of age in all 4 evaluated groups (ANOVA p values: 0.27913, 0.28374, 0.48992, 0.47251; respectively). And also, there were no significant linear relationship on group 1 (r = 0,02465 p = 0,15052), group 2 (r = 0,02082 p = 0,22995), group 3 (r = –0,02441 p = 0,31019) and group 4 (r = –0,02792 p = 0,26128). Conclusions:In this population sample, it was not observed any evidence of age influence on IOP.

Keywords: intraocular pressure • aging