Effect of body posture on intraocular pressure and ocular perfusion pressure in nonglaucomatous pregnant women.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of different positions on the intraocular pressure (IOP) and ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) in nonglaucomatous pregnant.

Material And Methods: Thirty-one women in their third trimester of pregnancy were enrolled in this prospective and observational study. IOP in both eyes was measured with a Tono-pen® in the sitting position (Si-P), in the supine position (Su-P), in the right lateral decubitus position (R-LDP), and left lateral decubitus position (L-LDP). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (sBP and dBP) were measured with a digital automatic blood pressure monitor at after 10 min in each position. Mean blood pressure ([mBP] = dBP + 1/3 [sBP-dBP]) and mean OPP (OPP = 2/3 mBP-IOP) were also calculated. Three IOP measurements were performed by the same clinician at the 15th min in each position.

Results: The mean IOP was 13.6 ± 3.4 mmHg in Si-P; 16.7 ± 3.5 mmHg in Su-P; 16.4 ± 3.5 mmHg in the R-LDP, and 16.6 ± 3.7 mmHg in the L-LDP. IOP was significantly lower in Si-P compared to Su-P, R-LDP, or L-LDP. The mean OPP was 46.41 ± 5.54 in Si-P; 39.71 ± 6.96 in Su-P; 36.81 ± 6.57 in the R-LDP; and 33.53 ± 7.63 in the L-LDP. OPP values were significantly different between each body position when multiple comparisons were performed.

Conclusion: According to our data we conclude that Si-P yields the lowest IOP and the highest OPP compared with Su-P, R-LDP, and L-LDP in healthy pregnant women.