Objectives: To evaluate the effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on intraocular pressure (IOP) in menopausal women. Methods: The IOP of 25 white menopausal women without an abnormal ophthalmologic history was measured before and during HRT regimen. IOP fluctations were recorded before and 1, 4, and 12 weeks after the beginning of HRT. These measurements were obtained according to a standardized time schedule (08:00, 12:00, 16:00, and 19:00 h).

NOTICE: If you are engaged in self-tonometry and you have questions about your daily intraocular pressure fluctuations, you should read this comment about the difference in the way fluctuations are defined by mainstream ophthalmology and the fluctuations we observe in self-tonometry.

I will further preface this article by saying that I do not believe there has been a study done where subjects with normal, healthy eyes performed self-tonometry the way we are doing it.

I urge caution in comparing self-tonometry data against the data being discussed by Dr. Rick Wilson below.

It is good to try to understand as much as we can. However, I believe it is not good to misinterpret your own self-tonometry data -- or to jump to incorrect conclusions based on the apples and oranges fallacy.

-- admin

On Wednesday, May 18, 2005, Dr. Rick Wilson a glaucoma specialist at Wills, and the glaucoma chat group discussed "Fluctuating IOP's."

Moderator:  Tonight's topic concerns fluctuating intraocular pressures (IOPs).  In a recent chat, you said studies have shown that fluctuating IOPs are more of a risk factor than a somewhat higher, but steady IOP.  Why is that?

Dr. Rick Wilson:  We are not sure. Several studies have shown glaucoma patients do not auto-regulate their circulation as well as patients without glaucoma.  In other words, if a patient's blood pressure increases suddenly, it pushes more blood into the eye, and the added blood flow and pressure cause more aqueous to be made.  A normal eye would sense the change and constrict the blood vessels to reduce the flow of the blood under higher pressure back to normal.

P:  Is that called "autoregulation?"

Dr. Rick Wilson:  Correct. Autoregulation should take place with decreased blood flow or pressure, increased metabolic needs of the eye, etc.  Clearly, a fluctuating IOP requires the eye to continually auto-regulate the blood flow to keep the optic nerve well supplied with oxygen and nutrients.  That may be onerous for the glaucomatous eye.

P:  Isn't some amount of IOP fluctuation normal even in healthy eyes?  For example, aren't pressures expected to be higher in the morning than in the later part of the day?  In any case, how much of a spread in IOP is considered normal?

Non-contact Tonometer or Air-puff Tonometer (Reichert Ophthalmic Instruments, Depew, New York, USA)
 

Registered users only

A clear fluid flows in and out of the space at the front of the eye, nourishing nearby tissues. Glaucoma causes the fluid to pass through too slowly or to stop draining altogether. As the fluid builds up, the pressure inside the eye increases, causing damage to the optic nerve and vision loss.

I have speculated about such a relationship myself as being part of the IOP puzzle, and then came across this..

Canadian researchers have discovered an unidentified form of circulation in the human eye which may provide important clues to glaucoma.

The human eye is considered to lack lymphatics – a circulation responsible for pumping fluid and waste out of tissues.

 Over two years ago i was diagnosed/suspected as having glaucoma in both eyes.Pressures elevated about 23 .

Jack LaLanne recently wrapped up a tour promoting his 11th book, "Live Young Forever: 12 Steps to Optimum Health, Fitness & Longevity." One reason to trust what the man preaches: He has seen the dark side.

A reformed sugarholic

See http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=chronic-fatigue-syndrom...

By Katherine Harmon

I was wondering if anyone here had any insight into this syndrome. I started having crises in my left eye 3 years ago after having Lasik surgery. Prior to that I had never had eye issues aside from near-sightedness. When I am having an episode my IOP jumps to about double what it should be. Luckily most the time I have very painful and disorienting inflammation to indicate that I am having an episode which prompts me to see the doctor and start medications. However, my doctor indicated that my IOP may be fluctuating when I feel completely normal as well.

Tafluprost (trade names Taflotan and Saflutan) is a prostaglandin analogue used topically (as eye drops) to control the progression of glaucoma and in the management of ocular hypertension. It reduces intraocular pressure by increasing the outflow of aqueous fluid from the eyes.

Other prostaglandin analogues for glaucoma management include Xalatan (latanoprost), Travatan (travoprost), Lumigan (bimatoprost) and Travatan-Z, which is a preservative-free version of Travatan.

Reading the article NOCTURNAL " the sleeping giant" by Arthur J. Sit, MD, i am always wondering when they say that investigators found the prostaglandin analogue provided good control for the entire 24-hour period... what do they mean by good...

What's good for one person is definitely not good enough for another. 

http://www.escrs.org/PUBLICATIONS/EUROTIMES/07mar/NocturnalIOP.pdf

Here's an other interesting article about anti glaucoma drugs

If I base on this diagram then there is something wrong with my medication

Hi,

 I've been diagnosed with having Glaucoma about a month ago, with substantial loss of peripheral vision that I was never aware of.

 Right now I'm going thru the panic and desperation of this terrible news. Fortunately I found this great site with so much information

 and help about Glaucoma, Thanks God.

I've have been a fitness fanatic all my life I'm 65 years old, and have tried everything I could to preserve my health during the last

50 years mainly doing weight lifting and Yoga combined,

eft video

http://www.emofree.com/splash/video_popup.asp

Thoughts on EFT and Intention

I love responding to questions about self-tonometry. I prefer this to writing blog posts in a vacuum. If you have been a long time reader of FitEyes.com, you have probably noticed that the trend lately is that my detailed responses are coming in the form of replies to posts that other people have made. I prefer it this way. I want to thank everyone who is making posts and asking questions. Please continue to do so!

I am passing this along. If any of you with tonometers would like to do the same thing this individual is doing, I would encourage you to participate. Any comments are welcome.