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. 2004 Dec;88(12):1510-1.
doi: 10.1136/bjo.2004.049924.

Impact factors on intraocular pressure measurements in healthy subjects

T Theelen  1 , C F M Meulendijks, D E M Geurts, A van Leeuwen, N B M Voet, A F Deutman
Affiliations

Impact factors on intraocular pressure measurements in healthy subjects

T Theelen et al. Br J Ophthalmol. 2004 Dec.

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate whether intraocular pressure (IOP) calculation by applanation tonometry is determined more essentially by the subject's neck position or by neck constriction.

Methods: 23 right eyes of 23 healthy subjects (12 male, 11 female) were included. IOP was measured by applanation tonometry with the TonoPen on sitting participants under four different conditions: with open collar upright (A) or with the head in the headrest of a slit lamp (B), with a tight necktie upright (C) or in slit lamp position (D). All measurements with neck constriction were performed 3 minutes after placing the necktie.

Results: Mean IOP was 16.9 (SD 2.3) mm Hg (range 11-21 mm Hg) (A), 18.1 (SD 2.2) mm Hg (range 14-22 mm Hg) (B), 17.9 (SD 2.9) mm Hg (range 12-25 mm Hg) (C) and 18.7 (SD 2.7) mm Hg (range 13-24 mm Hg) (D). Mean IOP increased by 1.3 (SD 2.6) mm Hg (p = 0.028, paired t test, range +0.2 to +2.4 mm Hg) if subjects changed position from A to B. There was no statistically significant difference between measurements with or without neck constriction.

Conclusion: Applanation tonometry may be inaccurate if performed in slit lamp position. In contrast, tight neckties do not significantly affect IOP evaluation in healthy subjects.

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