Abstract
The intraocular pressure (IOP) responses to two standard tests of autonomic nerve function were studied in 15 healthy subjects, mean age 33 years (range: 20-64). Both tests are based on cardiovascular reflexes: (1) The rise in diastolic blood pressure provoked by sustained isometric muscle contraction, a response mediated by the sympathetic nervous system and (2) The heart- rate responses to the Valsalva manoeuvre, a response mediated by the parasympathetic nervous system. During sustained isometric exercise, the mean IOP decreased significantly from baseline values of 12.60 mmHg (SEM 0.55) to 11.26 mmHg (SEM 0.32, p<0.05) while mean diastolic blood pressure increased by 20.80 mmHg (range: +12 to +53 mmHg). However there was no direct correlation between them (r = 0.05). Post exercise the mean IOP remained significantly lower than baseline values for five minutes (p0.01). During the Valsalva manoeuvre, there was a significant increase in IOP of 7.20 mmHg from a baseline of 12.80 mmHg (SEM 0.45) to 20.00 mmHg (SEM 0.78, p<0.001); during the recovery period, mean IOP was significantly lower than baseline values at 12.13 mmHg (SEM 0.39, p<0.05). The mean Valsalva ratio was normal at 1.68 (range: 1.2-2.6). The possible mechanisms involved in these responses are discussed.
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Lanigan, L., Clark, C. & Hill, D. Intraocular pressure responses to systemic autonomic stimulation. Eye 3, 477–483 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1038/eye.1989.72
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/eye.1989.72
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