Purpose: We measured the subarachnoid pressure of the optic nerve in 16 patients scheduled for ocular enucleation or evisceration.
Methods: We measured the subarachnoid pressure of the optic nerve directly with an electronic digital manometer in 16 patients scheduled for enucleation or evisceration for various blinding conditions. The nerve was exposed via a medial orbitotomy, and the subarachnoid pressure of the optic nerve was measured 5 mm posterior to the optic nerve head. The subarachnoid pressure of the optic nerve was also measured in five patients who were placed in the Trendelenburg position (head declined at a 30-degree angle) for three minutes.
Results: The subarachnoid pressure of the optic nerve varied from 4 to 14 mm Hg in the 16 patients tested. The mean subarachnoid pressure of the optic nerve was 8.5 mm Hg in the 16 patients tested. An increase of 1 to 2 mm Hg in the subarachnoid pressure was observed in all five patients placed in the Trendelenburg position.
Conclusions: Subarachnoid pressure of the optic nerve can be measured in vivo in humans. The values obtained are consistent with the known physiologic range of intracranial pressure. There was no statistically significant correlation between subarachnoid pressure of the optic nerve and age or cause of blindness. The subarachnoid pressure of the optic nerve varies over a wide range.