[Effect of physical and psychological stress on the course of primary open angle glaucoma].

PURPOSE: Analyzing how mutch mental or physical stress influences the elevation of intraocular pressure (lOP) and therefore the influence of stress over the progress of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), monitoring the changes of the glaucoma parameters that occur either under stress or under normal life conditions.

METHODS

Observational analytical prospective nonexposed-exposed study that took place over a period of 18 months and reviewed 151 patients.

RESULTS

Of the 64 patients that had mental stress before presenting to the doctor, in 47 (73%) of them, were foud increased lOP and visual field changes at regular consultation and 17 (27%) have experienced mental stress without increasing lOP values or any visual field change. Of the 69 patients that reported insomnia, 47 (68%) had elevated lOP, while 22 (32%) had unchanged IOP values. Of the 42 patients that had an increased stress score due to physical fatigue, 22 (52%) had increased lOP and visual field changes (CV) and 20 (48%) had no change in lOP or visual field.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of mental stress in a glaucomatous patient increases lOP values and leads to the worsening of the disease, while insomnia represents only a potential risk factor for POAG and physical exercise might even have a beneficial effect.