Abstract
Background: Mean intraocular pressure (IOP) in postmenopausal women has been reported higher than that in menstruating women. Also, intraocular pressure is said to be positively correlated with systemic blood pressure. No previous study in Nigeria has compared intraocular pressure in postmenopausal women with and without systemic hypertension. Purpose: To investigate the effects of menopause on intraocular pressure in subjects with and without high blood pressure. Methods: Normotensive and hypertensive premenopausal and postmenopausal subjects in the same agerange of 45 to 55 years were studied. Intraocular pressure was measured with the hand-held Kowa applanation tonometer. Blood pressure was taken in the sitting position at the right upper arm using a manual mercury sphygmomanometer with the right cuff size. The average of two readings was recorded. Results: Mean IOP for premenopausal normotensive women was 14.58 ± 2.56 mmHg whilethat of postmenopausal normotensive women was16.15 ± 1.80 mmHg (p<0.05). Also, the difference in mean IOP between premenopausal hypertensive (16.58 ± 3.23 mmHg) and postmenopausal hypertensive women (18.24 ± 3.89 mmHg)was statistically significant (p<0.05). A statistically significant and positive correlation was observed between IOP and systemic blood pressure in postmenopausal hypertensive women, p<0.05.Conclusion: Menopause significantly increases intraocular pressure. Mean intraocular pressure of hypertensive postmenopausal women was significantly higher than that of normotensive post-menopausal women, (p<0.05). Knowledge of the normal level of intraocular pressure during various stages of the female reproductive cycle may help during glaucoma screening. (S Afr Optom 2011 70(3) 117-122)
Highlights
Menopause is the point in a female’s life when she has not had a menstrual cycle for at least one year
A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between intraocular pressure (IOP) and systemic blood pressure in postmenopausal hypertensive women, p
A highly significant positive correlation was observed between IOP and systolic blood pressure in the premenopausal hypertensive women, Figure 5 (r = 0.60, p
Summary
Menopause is the point in a female’s life when she has not had a menstrual cycle for at least one year. Menopause is not a disease or an illness but a transition between two phases of a woman’s life It marks the end of the childbearing years of the female. Mean intraocular pressure (IOP) in postmenopausal women has been reported higher than that in menstruating women. No previous study in Nigeria has compared intraocular pressure in postmenopausal women with and without systemic hypertension. The difference in mean IOP between premenopausal hypertensive (16.58 ± 3.23 mmHg) and postmenopausal hypertensive women (18.24 ± 3.89 mmHg) was statistically significant (p
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