Intraocular pressure variability in patients who reached target intraocular pressure

Aim: To assess the intraocular pressure (IOP) variability in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) under clinical treatment who reached an established target pressure based on isolated office readings. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 65 eyes from 65 POAG patients under clinical therapy who submitted to modified diurnal tension curve (mDTC) (measurements at every 3 hours between 8 am and 5 pm) followed by a water drinking test (WDT). All subjects had established target IOP <= 15 mmHg at 11 am or 2 pm. IOP variability during mDTC or WDT was evaluated. Results: mDTC revealed IOP measurements >= 17 mmHg in 16 of 65 eyes (24.6%). Nine eyes (13.8%) presented values >= 18 mmHg. The highest IOP detected by mDTC was 20 mmHg in one patient (1.5%). WDT demonstrated IOP values >= 17 mmHg in 32 of 65 eyes (49.2%). 22 eyes (33.8%) presented values >= 18 mmHg after water ingestion. Moreover, IOP levels >= 20 mmHg were observed in 14 eyes (21.5%). Conclusion: A great percentage of POAG patients undergoing clinical treatment and with IOP control based on single office measurement present significantly higher IOP measurements when performing mDTC and, especially, the WDT.