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The Mont Blanc Study: The effect of altitude on intra ocular pressure and central corneal thickness.

Authors :
Bruttini C
Verticchio Vercellin A
Klersy C
De Silvestri A
Tinelli C
Riva I
Oddone F
Katsanos A
Quaranta L
Source :
PloS one [PLoS One] 2020 Aug 07; Vol. 15 (8), pp. e0237343. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Aug 07 (Print Publication: 2020).
Publication Year :
2020

Abstract

The aim of the Mont Blanc Study was to investigate the relationship between intraocular pressure (IOP), central corneal thickness (CCT), and altitude in healthy subjects. Thirty-three eyes of 33 healthy volunteers (mean age: 24.8 years, 17 females) had their IOP measured with Perkins and I-Care tonometers and their CCT using ultrasound pachymetry at three locations in Italy with different altitudes: Pavia, (PV), 77 meters above sea level (a.s.l); Courmayeur (CM), 1300 meters a.s.l; Pointe Helbronner (PH), 3466 meters a.s.l.). The measurements were performed at 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm (±30') in indoor settings (mean temperature of 19°C) in PV and PH. At 9 am, CCT and IOP were measured outdoor (mean temperature of -1.4°C) at PH. The mean values of the IOP curve decreased from PV to PH with the Perkins (p = 0.02) and I-Care tonometers (p = 0.001). Instead, CCT increased upon ascension from PV to PH (p = 0.01), and from CM to PH (p = 0.002). When exposed to sub-zero temperature, the IOP increased (p<0.001), while the CCT did not change (p = 0.30). The results suggest that IOP significantly decreased and CCT significantly increased upon ascension from the sea level to higher altitudes.<br />Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1932-6203
Volume :
15
Issue :
8
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
PloS one
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
32764811
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0237343