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. 2023 Jun 1;64(7):15.
doi: 10.1167/iovs.64.7.15.

Intraocular Pressure and Its Relation to Climate Parameters-Results From the Gutenberg Health Study

Alica Hartmann  1 , Stephanie D Grabitz  1 , Esther M Hoffmann  1 , Philipp S Wild  2   3   4   5 , Irene Schmidtmann  6 , Karl J Lackner  7 , Manfred E Beutel  8 , Thomas Münzel  9 , Oliver Tüscher  10   5   11 , Jörn M Schattenberg  12 , Norbert Pfeiffer  1 , Alexander K Schuster  1
Affiliations

Intraocular Pressure and Its Relation to Climate Parameters-Results From the Gutenberg Health Study

Alica Hartmann et al. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. .

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the association between intraocular pressure (IOP) and climate parameters.

Methods: The Gutenberg Health Study (GHS) is a population-based cohort study in Mainz, Germany. Participants underwent two comprehensive ophthalmologic examinations (baseline visit and five-year follow up) including non-contact tonometry, objective refraction, pachymetry, perimetry, and fundus imaging in the time frame of 2007 to 2017. The respective climate parameters were assessed at the University Mainz including temperature, air humidity, and air pressure. Associations of IOP and climatic parameters were computed using component models and cross-correlation plots. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to adjust for age, sex, body mass index, diabetes, central corneal thickness, and systolic blood pressure. To further explore the link between systolic blood pressure, temperature, and IOP, an effect mediation analysis was conducted.

Results: A total of 14,632 participants (age 55 ± 11 years at baseline, 49.1% female) were included in this analysis. Mean IOP was 14.24 ± 2.8 mm Hg at baseline. There was a similar periodic change in IOP and in temperature, as shown in the component models. IOP was not associated with air humidity. In univariable and multivariable regression analyses we found a significant association between lower IOP during the summer months with higher air temperature (B = -0.011, P < 0.001). This could be partially explained in mediation analysis by lower systolic blood pressure at higher air temperature. Furthermore, IOP was associated with air pressure in univariable (B = 0.005, P = 0.04.) and multivariable models (B = 0.006, P = 0.03).

Conclusions: There is a periodic annual change of IOP with higher values in winter and lower values in summer supporting the hypothesis of an impact of environmental temperature on IOP, which is partly mediated by lower systolic blood pressure in summer.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: A. Hartmann, None; S.D. Grabitz, None; E.M. Hoffmann, Allergan (F), Heidelberg Engineering (F), Santen (F), Novartis (F), Thea (F), Carl Zeiss Meditec (F); P.S. Wild, Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF 01EO1503) (R); I. Schmidtmann, None; K.J. Lackner, None; M.E. Beutel, None; T. Münzel, None; O. Tüscher, None; J.M. Schattenberg, None; N. Pfeiffer, Novartis (F), Ivantis (F), Santen (F), Thea (F), Boehringer Ingelheim Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG (F), Alcon (F), Sanoculis (F); A.K. Schuster, Allergan (F), Bayer Vital (F), Heidelberg Engineering (F), Novartis (F), Santen (F), “Stiftung Auge” (R); “Deutsche Ophthalmologische Gesellschaft” (R), “Berufsverband der Augenärzte Deutschlands e.V” (R)

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Seasonal component of average temperature and IOP in time series analysis (monthly averages): data from the Gutenberg Health Study (2007–2017) and Department of Astrophysics (2007–2017).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Correlation plot between IOP and air temperature. (a) Crude analysis, (b) after removing of the trend component, and (c) after removing the seasonal component as well.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Scatterplot between IOP and air temperature (a), air humidity (b), and air pressure (c). Results from the population-based Gutenberg Health Study (n = 14,632) from baseline examination (2007–2012). The blue line illustrates the LOESS line.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Within day distribution of IOP. Results from the population-based Gutenberg Health Study (n = 14,632), data from baseline examination (2007–2012).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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