Publication:

Comparison of body mass index and intraocular pressure

Background Raised intaocular pressure is considered as a major risk factor for developing optic neuropathy. Intraocular pressure (IOP) depends on various systemic and local factors and it has been postulated that IOP increases proportionately with increase in systolic blood pressure and increase in degree of obesity. The aim of this study was to compare the Body Mass Index (BMI) and Intraocular Pressure (IOP) in adult population.

Methods Four hundred ninety nine participants (284 male, 215 female) aged between 20 to 70 years were included in the cross-sectional study. On the basis of BMI subjects were divided into four categories i.e. underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese as per revised body type classification for Indian population recommended by Ministry of Health and Diabetes foundation of India. The mean IOP difference was 14.6±1.8 as compared amongst the four categories.

Results The participants were divided into six categories according to age and the mean IOP of different age groups was calculated. The changes in the mean IOP of males was 15.8±2.5 mm of Hg and the mean IOP of females was 14.7±2.2 mm of Hg. The results of the current study were statistically significant p<0.01.

Conclusions By concluding the current study as well as in the previous published literature, the findings of the current study were statistically significant. IOP was positively correlated with BMI. However, the clinical significance cannot be confirmed by the minor deviation in the IOP as well as BMI of the participants.