The effect of posture on intraocular pressure and pulsatile ocular blood flow in normal and glaucomatous eyes.

While an increase in the intraocular pressure on assumption of the supine position from the seated or upright position has been known for decades, the recent introduction of a means to quantify the pulsatile ocular blood flow has led to studies indicating a postural decrease in the pulsatile ocular blood flow. The factors contributing to the postural response of the intraocular pressure are reviewed, and those proposed for the postural response of the pulsatile ocular blood flow are discussed.