Abstract

Background: Intraocular pressure (IOP) is the fluid pressure inside the eye. Tonometry is the method, eye care professionals, use to determine this. IOP is an important aspect in the evaluation of patients at risk of glaucoma. Intraocular pressure usually increases with age and is genetically influenced.

Aims & Objective: To study the variation of IOP with age and gender.

Materials and Methods: A case control study was conducted in 50 Male and 50 Female subjects above the age of 40 years with normotension, without any glaucoma and raised IOP. Statistical analysis was done by using student “t” test and ANOVA.

Results: There is statistically significant difference between the mean IOP in males and IOP in females (P < 0.05). There is significant positive correlation between age and IOP (r =0.911).

Conclusion: Mean intraocular pressure increases with increasing age group with higher values seen in females. It would be more accurate if ophthalmologists acquire the habit of approximating measured IOP to the nearest one mmHg and not to the nearest even number.

Key words: Intraocular Pressure; Tonometry; Gender; Age