Open-angle glaucoma: variations in the intraocular pressure after visual field examination

PURPOSE: To evaluate intraocular pressure (IOP) variations after automated visual field examination in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and in healthy subjects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Intraocular pressure was measured in 49 patients (94 eyes) with primary open-angle glaucoma and in 13 healthy subjects (26 eyes) before and immediately after automated visual field examination. All patients had stable IOP and were using local medication to treat glaucoma. The visual field test was performed with a Humphrey 630 VF analyzer and the Central 30-2 full-threshold program. RESULTS: Mean IOP increased significantly in glaucomatous patients immediately after automated visual field examination (P < 0.01), and returned to pretest values after 1 hour (P = 0.2). Mean IOP variation was 2.38 (range, -6-11) mm Hg. In 42 (44.68%) glaucomatous eyes, IOP increased more than 2 mm Hg, with a mean increase of 5.5 mm Hg. Elderly glaucoma patients showed a significantly higher IOP rise than younger patients. No significant IOP variation was detected in healthy subjects. CONCLUSION: Intraocular pressure varied significantly and tended to increase immediately after automated visual field examination in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. Age seemed to contribute to these IOP changes, but other factors could be involved.