Intraocular pressure fluctuation and glaucoma progression: what do we know?

Author(s): Leidl MC(1), Choi CJ, Syed ZA, Melki SA.

1 Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, New York, USA.

While mean intraocular pressure (IOP) has long been known to correlate with glaucomatous damage, the role of IOP fluctuation is less clearly defined. There is extensive evidence in the literature for and against the value of short-term and long-term IOP fluctuation in the evaluation and prognosis of patients with glaucoma.

We present here the arguments made by both sides, as well as a discussion of the pitfalls of prior research and potential directions for future studies. Until a reliable method is developed that allows for constant IOP monitoring, many variables will continue to hinder us from drawing adequate conclusions regarding the significance of IOP variation.

Br J Ophthalmol. 2014 Mar 13. doi: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2013-303980.

PMID: 24627247
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24627247

Keywords: Glaucoma, Intraocular Pressure, Physiology

Clinical Paper of the Month manager: Andreas Boehm