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Editors Selection IGR 9-3

Intraocular Pressure: Swimming goggles and IOP

Comment by Clive Migdal on:

21849 Wearing swimming goggles can elevate intraocular pressure, Morgan WH; Cunneen TS; Balaratnasingam C et al., British Journal of Ophthalmology, 2008; 92: 1218-1221

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The interesting study by Morgan et al. (1014), with practical implications, carried out in two parts (a Pilot study (n = 15), followed by a Validation study on a different cohort of subjects (n = 15)) examined the acute effects of wearing thirteen different types of swimming goggles on intraocular pressure. The Pilot study investigated changes in IOP (measured by applanation tonometry through holes drilled into the faces of the goggles). Using anatomical measurements of the subjects, coupled with goggle design parameters, the Validation study then tested the predictive model, noted IOP changes in the different goggles used in this part of the study, and documented how long the IOP changes were sustained. IOP increased by a mean of 4.5 mmHg while wearing the goggles, and this increase was sustained for the duration of goggle wear. Results suggest that anatomic or physiologic factors in the individual subject are relevant in determining the rise in IOP.

IOP increases by a mean of 4.5 mmHg while wearing swimming goggles, and this increase sustains for the duration of goggle wear

These specific factors are currently unknown, but results from this study suggest that individuals with reduced orbital area and a smaller goggle face area were more likely to experience an IOP rise (although these results were not all confirmed by subsequent measurements and analysis of a different cohort of subjects). Obviously the study was conducted in a clinical setting rather than in the swimming pool where other variables might be present (such as the prone patient and different tensions in the elastic of the goggles to ensure they are watertight). In addition, most of the patients in the study were young and healthy, and none suffered from glaucoma. Nevertheless, there is no previous information on the effects of swimming goggles on IOP. The study provides useful practical information for at-risk glaucoma patients who wish to go swimming.

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