Age and intraocular pressure: how are they correlated?

BACKGROUND The relationship between intraocular pressure and age is not fully understood. Intraocular pressure may increase or decrease with age. PURPOSE Study was planned to determine the effect of aging on intraocular pressure of an apparently healthy population of Karachi. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Depending upon age, 8036 subjects were divided into seven groups. All were examined according to standard protocols. Measurements were taken by Goldmann applanation tonometer, after a complete rest for at least 15 minutes and always first in the right eye. RESULTS Mean intraocular pressure increases progressively with age until 60 years. When one age group is compared with its preceding, the increase is non-significant until 40 years but highly significant (P < 0.001) in the age groups of 41-50 and 51-60 years. The data shows non-significant decrease in the age group of 61-70 but an increase in the age group of above 70 years. CONCLUSION This study supports the conclusion that as age increases, intraocular pressure also increases, with an average of 0.28 mmHg per decade. Knowledge of the normal range of intraocular pressure in various age groups will help glaucoma screeners.