Age, gender and refractive error association with intraocular pressure in healthy Saudi participants: A cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE

To determine the distribution of intraocular pressure (IOP) and its association with age, gender and refractive error in non-glaucomatous Saudi participants.

DESIGN

Hospital-based cross-sectional observational study during Vision Day Screening Program.

PARTICIPANTS

458 participants living in the Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

Recruited participants (aged 20 years or over) underwent a comprehensive questionnaire and ocular examination, including measurement of IOP with Perkins hand-held applanation tonometry and autorefraction.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The distribution of IOP of either of the eyes (right or left eye by randomization) and associations with age, gender and refractive error.

RESULTS

Median IOP was 15.0 (range: 6-28) mmHg in the total population. There is no significant difference between the overall IOP of male participants, median 15 (range: 6-28) mmHg and female participants, median 16 (range: 6-28) mmHg (p = 0.180). No statistically significant difference in IOP in relation to age comparing 20-45 years group to 46-69 years group was documented (p = 0.751). There was no statistically significant relationship between refractive error category and IOP (p = 0.405). Ocular hypertension with IOP > 21 mmHg was found in 8.7% of the participants.

CONCLUSION

Variation in IOP by gender, age group and type of refractive error was not statistically significant. The observations need confirmation by study with larger sample representing Saudi population.