Effect of body posture on intraocular pressure and ocular perfusion pressure in nonglaucomatous pregnant women.

PURPOSE

To investigate the effect of different positions on the intraocular pressure (IOP) and ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) in nonglaucomatous pregnant.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty-one women in their third trimester of pregnancy were enrolled in this prospective and observational study. IOP in both eyes was measured with a Tono-pen® in the sitting position (Si-P), in the supine position (Su-P), in the right lateral decubitus position (R-LDP), and left lateral decubitus position (L-LDP). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (sBP and dBP) were measured with a digital automatic blood pressure monitor at after 10 min in each position. Mean blood pressure ([mBP] = dBP + 1/3 [sBP-dBP]) and mean OPP (OPP = 2/3 mBP-IOP) were also calculated. Three IOP measurements were performed by the same clinician at the 15th min in each position.

RESULTS

The mean IOP was 13.6 ± 3.4 mmHg in Si-P; 16.7 ± 3.5 mmHg in Su-P; 16.4 ± 3.5 mmHg in the R-LDP, and 16.6 ± 3.7 mmHg in the L-LDP. IOP was significantly lower in Si-P compared to Su-P, R-LDP, or L-LDP. The mean OPP was 46.41 ± 5.54 in Si-P; 39.71 ± 6.96 in Su-P; 36.81 ± 6.57 in the R-LDP; and 33.53 ± 7.63 in the L-LDP. OPP values were significantly different between each body position when multiple comparisons were performed.

CONCLUSION

According to our data we conclude that Si-P yields the lowest IOP and the highest OPP compared with Su-P, R-LDP, and L-LDP in healthy pregnant women.