intraocular pressure research

I received the following response from a FitEyes reader on another topic. But his last comment prompted something I want to share with everyone. So please read on, starting with an edited excerpt from his comment that inspired me.

[I am on] on a six month trial doing alternate day fasting, twenty minute mindful meditative walks in nature twice a day, 30 minutes of aerobic exercise every other day, while detoxing with hexagonal water.

[I am] 10% persuaded that [I] will permanently lower [my] intraocular pressure to 10 mm Hg  in six months.

That last line really caught my attention. Here is my response:

A research study presented as a "poster" at ARVO 2010 indicated that the position of one's head (and body) during sleep can have an effect on intraocular pressure. For example, your eye pressure may be lower if you sleep on your back compared to sleeping on your side. (Furthermore, in my own experience, sleeping on your stomach may be the worst for IOP.)

Not discussed in this particular study was any difference in intraocular pressure between eyes. There is some evidence that if you sleep on your left side, intraocular pressure in the left eye could be higher.

Recently here on FitEyes, readers have asked about the relationship between intraocular pressure about meditation. That prompted me to write this post about some of the broader spiritual aspects of what I do as well as how I view intraocular pressure in my own life and in my work as a Serene Impulse teacher.