Effects of body mass index on intraocular pressure and ocular pulse amplitude

AIM: To investigate the effects of body mass index (BMI) on intraocular pressure (IOP) and ocular pulse amplitude (OPA). METHODS: Totally 140 healthy individuals without any systemic diseases were included in the study. BMI (kg/m2) was calculated for every individual. IOP and OPA were measured with Pascal Dynamic contour tonometer (DCT). Blood pressure was also measured along with the DCT. The patients were divided into three groups according to BMI as: Group1, BMI<25; Group2, 25 <= BMI<30; Group3, BMI >= 30. Mean values of IOP, OPA, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were used in statistical analysis. RESULTS: In Group1, the means of IOP, OPA, were 16.8 +/- 2.3mmHg, 2.7 +/- 0.7mmHg respectively; and SBP, DBP were 120.0 +/- 6.1mmHg, and 77.4 +/- 5.6mmHg respectively. In group2, the mean IOP, OPA, SBP, and DBP were found to be 16.6 +/- 2.1mmHg, 2.4 +/- 0.7mmHg, 121.7 +/- 5.3mmHg, and 79.5 +/- 4.9mmHg respectively. In group3, the mean IOP, OPA, SBP, and DBP were found to be 17.3 +/- 1.7mmHg, 2.1 +/- 0.7mnnHg, 122.4 +/- 5.7mmHg, and 79.7 +/- 5.2mmHg respectively. There were no statistically significant difference between groups in terms of IOP, SBP and DBP, while OPA values were significantly lower in group3 (P=0.001). CONCLUSION: Decreased OPA values in individuals with higher BMI may indicate that subjects with higher BMI have lower choroidal perfusion and lower ocular blood flow.