Original Research
A comparative analysis of the postural and diurnal ocular perfusion pressure of young healthy individuals of different ethnicities
African Vision and Eye Health | Vol 77, No 1 | a427 |
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/aveh.v77i1.427
| © 2018 Alvin J. Munsamy, Kelisha Gopaul, Kimesha Perumaul, Muhammad M. Moosa, Luvuyo Bidla, Twapewa L. Shaetonhodi, Bongeka Vilakazi
| This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 21 September 2017 | Published: 14 June 2018
Submitted: 21 September 2017 | Published: 14 June 2018
About the author(s)
Alvin J. Munsamy, Discipline of Optometry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaKelisha Gopaul, Discipline of Optometry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Kimesha Perumaul, Discipline of Optometry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Muhammad M. Moosa, Discipline of Optometry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Luvuyo Bidla, Discipline of Optometry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Twapewa L. Shaetonhodi, Discipline of Optometry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Bongeka Vilakazi, Discipline of Optometry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Abstract
Purpose: Ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) regulates the flow of blood to the optic nerve and is determined by the interaction between intraocular pressure (IOP) and blood pressure (BP). Low OPP increases the incidence of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). The aim is to compare the diurnal (i.e. morning vs. afternoon) and postural (i.e. seated vs. supine) OPP in healthy individuals from different ethnicities aged between 18 and 30 years.
Methodology: Averaged IOP and BP measurements were obtained with an ICare rebound tonometer and an automated sphygmomanometer, respectively. Measurements were taken in the morning and afternoon, in the supine and seated positions in healthy young adults: Africans (n = 10), white people (n = 10), mixed-race people (n = 10) and Indians (n = 10).
Results: The whole sample (N = 40) displayed a statistically significant reduction in postural and diurnal OPP both in the supine position and in the morning, respectively. A comparative analysis revealed that Africans displayed statistically significant reduction in OPP when compared to other ethnicities.
Discussion: A change in posture to the supine position has a greater impact on the reduction of OPP when compared to diurnal changes. Africans displayed clinically significant reduction in OPP which may increase the incidence of POAG in this ethnicity at an early age.
Conclusion: Our findings question whether OPP should be considered as a biomarker in the dark-skinned individuals. An evaluation of BP and IOP in the supine position is recommended for all patients to obtain more conclusive readings.
Methodology: Averaged IOP and BP measurements were obtained with an ICare rebound tonometer and an automated sphygmomanometer, respectively. Measurements were taken in the morning and afternoon, in the supine and seated positions in healthy young adults: Africans (n = 10), white people (n = 10), mixed-race people (n = 10) and Indians (n = 10).
Results: The whole sample (N = 40) displayed a statistically significant reduction in postural and diurnal OPP both in the supine position and in the morning, respectively. A comparative analysis revealed that Africans displayed statistically significant reduction in OPP when compared to other ethnicities.
Discussion: A change in posture to the supine position has a greater impact on the reduction of OPP when compared to diurnal changes. Africans displayed clinically significant reduction in OPP which may increase the incidence of POAG in this ethnicity at an early age.
Conclusion: Our findings question whether OPP should be considered as a biomarker in the dark-skinned individuals. An evaluation of BP and IOP in the supine position is recommended for all patients to obtain more conclusive readings.
Keywords
Ocular perfusion pressure; postural; diurnal; glaucoma; intra-ocular pressure; blood pressure
Metrics
Total abstract views: 2824Total article views: 17027