Agreement between stress intraocular pressure and long-term intraocular pressure measurements in primary open angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE: The aim of this paper is to study the correlation between the intraocular pressure peaks and fluctuation detected during the water drinking test and the same parameters observed during long-term follow up.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study enrolled 22 eyes of 22 newly diagnosed primary open angle glaucoma patients. After an initial complete ophthalmological examination, patients were started on antiglaucoma medication and returned 4 weeks later to perform the water drinking test. Thereafter,patients were evaluated at least eight times within a period of 6-12 months. The intraocular pressure peaks and fluctuation detected during the water drinking stress test were compared with those observed during regular office visits. Spearman's correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman Plots were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The mean age of participants was 54.3 +/- 8.2 years (+/-SD), 59% were women, and average mean deviation -10.2 +/- 4.5 dB. The mean follow-up period was 8.2 +/- 2.0 months. The average intraocular pressure peaks and fluctuation during the water drinking test were 20.0 +/- 2.9 mmHg and 40 +/- 10%, respectively, and 18.1 +/- 2.8 mmHg and 30 +/- 10% during follow up. Spearman's correlation coefficients were significant and strong between the intraocular pressure peaks and fluctuation detected during the water drinking test and during the follow-up period (P < 0.001, rho = 0.76 and 0.82,respectively). There was good agreement between the variables.

CONCLUSION

The intraocular pressure peaks and fluctuation detected during the water drinking test showed significant correlation and agreement with the pressures observed during follow-up visits. Stress tests could be used to estimate long-term intraocular pressure variation.