Original Article RELATIONSHIP OF AGE WITH INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE AND CENTRAL CORNEAL THICKNESS IN HYPERTENSIVES AND NON-HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS

Abstract

Background: Increased Intraocular Pressure (IOP) is the main risk factor for glaucoma, and a principal cause of permanent blindness throughout the world. Glaucoma has been significantly linked with aging.

Objective: To correlate the effect of age on IOP and Central Corneal Thickness (CCT) in hypertensive and non-hypertensive subjects of Pakistani population.

Material and Methods: 54 hypertensive and 54 non-hypertensive subjects, taken from Eye OPD Mayo hospital, were studied. Mercuric sphygmomanometer was used to determine the blood pressure after a written informed consent. Assessment of IOP was done by Goldmann applanation tonometer by using 2% flourescein strips. Ultrasound pachymeter was used for the measurement of CCT.

Results: IOP decrease with age and depicted a weak and negative association in patients with hypertention while CCT showed weak and positive association with age among hypertensives.

Conclusion: As the age increases, the levels of IOP decreases and CCT shows weak and positive correlation with age in hypertensive patients.