The Impact of Body Posture on Intraocular Pressure Following Medical and Surgical Treatment for Glaucoma Publisher Pubmed



Tabatabaei SM ; Safizadeh M ; Vahedian Z ; Ahmadi A ; Ebrahimi Z ; Ghasemi S ; Aliasin MM ; Beikmarzehei A
Source: International Ophthalmology Published:2025

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of body posture on intraocular pressure (IOP) after trabeculectomy, viscocanalostomy (VC), and glaucoma drainage device (GDD) implantation. Methods: One hundred and sixty eyes of 94 subjects were allocated to four groups, including the control group, trabeculectomy, VC, and GDD. The IOP was measured in sitting and lying positions, and also in a supine position with a standard pillow (habitual position). The IOP measurement was done by Tonopen XL (Reichert Ophthalmic Instruments, Depew, NY). Results: The control group had the highest mean ± SD IOP in the lying position with a lower IOP after head elevation (16.2 ± 4.78 mmHg vs. 14.88 ± 3.63 mmHg; p = 0.015). The trabeculectomy group had the lowest mean ± SD IOP in the sitting position (11.47 ± 5.42 mmHg) without any difference between lying and habitual positions (13.73 ± 7.19 mmHg vs. 13.00 ± 6.41 mmHg; p = 0.896). In the VC group, the mean ± SD IOP was lower with head elevation compared to the supine position (13.23 ± 4.77 mmHg vs. 13.89 ± 5.48 mmHg; p = 0.048). There was no significant difference in IOP between different body positions in the GDD group (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The IOP can be decreased by head elevation in supine positions in the control group and eyes that underwent VC. Body position affects IOP even after trabeculectomy. The IOP fluctuations are independent of body position after GDD implantation. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.