Intraocular pressure as indicator of sympathetic asymmetry in the eyes.

Authors :: Reddy SC
Mohan SM
Source :: International journal of ophthalmology [Int J Ophthalmol] 2010; Vol. 3 (4), pp. 326-7. Date of Electronic Publication: 2010 Dec 18.
Publication Year :: 2010
Abstract: Aim: To determine the asymmetry in the sympathetic activity in the eyes as indicated by intraocular pressure (IOP).<br />Methods: In a prospective cross sectional study, the IOP in 150 newborns, 80 young adults and 159 old people was measured with Tono-Pen under topical anaesthesia.<br />Results: The mean IOP in the newborns was 16.16mmHg in right eye and 15.79mmHg in left eye; in young adults 15.04mmHg in right eye and 14.71 in left eye; in old people 15.16 in right eye and 15.03 in left eye. A statistically significant higher IOP was noted in the right eye in the newborns (P=0.03) and in young adults (P=0.02), but not in the old people (P=0.26). The higher IOP in the right eye indicates the lowered sympathetic activity in that eye.<br />Conclusion: We hypothesize that the sympathetic asymmetry in the bilaterally placed organs helps to establish the dominant pattern of the organ in the body.