rss
Br J Ophthalmol 2006;90:24-28 doi:10.1136/bjo.2005.079285
  • Clinical science
    • Scientific reports

Circadian variations in central corneal thickness and intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma

  1. P Fogagnolo,
  2. L Rossetti,
  3. F Mazzolani,
  4. N Orzalesi
  1. Eye Clinic, Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Odontoiatry, San Paolo Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
  1. Correspondence to: Nicola Orzalesi Clinica Oculistica, Ospedale San Paolo, Via di Rudinì, 8, 20142 Milan, Italy; fogagnolopaolo{at}libero.it
  • Accepted 9 September 2005

Abstract

Aim: To analyse 24 hour variations in intraocular pressure (IOP) and central corneal thickness (CCT) in a group of glaucomatous patients.

Methods: 30 patients with primary open angle glaucoma were hospitalised and underwent circadian evaluations (at 8 pm, midnight, 4 am, 8 am, noon, and 4 pm) of supine and sitting IOP, respectively, measured using a Perkins and a Goldmann tonometer, and CCT measured using an ultrasonic pachymeter (the mean value of three measurements within 5 μm). All patients were treated with timolol 0.5% twice daily and latanoprost 0.005% once daily.

Results: Mean supine IOP was 15.3 (SD 3.7) mm Hg (range 10–25), with circadian fluctuations of 7.3 (3.3) mm Hg. Mean sitting IOP was 15.1 (3.9) mm Hg (range 8–26), with circadian fluctuations of 5.4 (3.1) mm Hg. Mean CCT was 534 (39) μm (range 443–637 μm) with circadian fluctuations of 16.5 (6.2) μm (range 6–31 μm). Both the within patient and within time point fluctuations in CCT were statistically significant (p<0.0001, ANOVA).

Conclusions: The authors found considerable fluctuations in 24 hour IOP. The circadian fluctuations in CCT were small and, although statistically significant, did not seem to interfere with the circadian IOP assessment.

Footnotes

  • Ethics approval: #985/2003.

This Article

  1. Abstract
  2. Full text
  3. PDF

Responses

  1. Submit a response
  2. No responses published

Register for free content

The full back archive is now available for all BMJ Journals. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006 right back to volume 1 issue 1. Register here to access the free archive of all BMJ Journals.

Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.