Effect of a tight necktie on intraocular pressure
- 1SUNY Downstate College of Medicine, Brooklyn, NY, USA
- 2Department of Ophthalmology, The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, New York, NY, USA
- 3Department of Ophthalmology, Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital, New York, NY, USA
- 4Department of Ophthalmology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- 5Department of Ophthalmology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
- Correspondence to: Robert Ritch, MD, Glaucoma Service, Department of Ophthalmology, The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, 310 E 14th Street, New York, NY 10003, USA; ritchmd{at}earthlink.net
- Accepted 6 December 2002
Abstract
Aim: To evaluate the effect of a tight necktie on intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement using Goldmann applanation tonometry.
Methods: 40 eyes of 20 normal subjects and 20 open angle glaucoma patients (all male) were enrolled. IOP was measured with an open shirt collar, 3 minutes after placing a tight necktie, and 3 minutes after loosening it. All measurements were made by the same examiner.
Results: Mean IOP in normal subjects increased by 2.6 (SD 3.9) mm Hg (p=0.008, paired t test; range −3 to +14 mm Hg) and in glaucoma patients by 1.0 (1.8) mm Hg (p=0.02, paired t test; range −2 to +4.5 mm Hg). In normal subjects, IOP in 12 eyes was increased by ≥2 mm Hg and in seven eyes by ≥4 mm Hg. In glaucoma patients, IOP in six eyes was increased by ≥2 mm Hg and in two eyes by ≥4 mm Hg.
Conclusion: A tight necktie increases IOP in both normal subjects and glaucoma patients and could affect the diagnosis and management of glaucoma.
