This study analyzed the relationship between intraocular pressure (IOP) and health parameters, including waist circumference, in healthy Koreans.

A total of 6169 healthy participants underwent automated multi-phasic tests including tonometry, automated perimetry, and fundus photography. Parameters of these patients including height, weight, degree of obesity, body fat percentage, waist circumference, body mass index, and body muscle rate, were recorded. The subjects were divided into six age groups by decades ranging from 20~29 years to over 70 years. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between IOP and the parameters mentioned above.

The mean age of the participants was 47.87 years, and 3015 (51.1%) of the participants were men. The mean IOP was 13.58±3.1 mmHg, and was significantly higher in men than in women ( p <0.05). The prevalence of ocular hypertension was 2.0% in men and 2.2% in women. IOP was associated with gender, age, height, weight, degree of obesity, body fat percentage, waist circumference, and body mass index ( p <0.05). The relation between IOP and age showed a significantly negative tendency ( p <0.05). Height, weight, degree of obesity, body fat percentage, waist circumference, and body mass index had a significantly positive relation with IOP ( p <0.05). There was no significant relation between IOP and body muscle percentage ( p >0.05).

Because increased IOP is associated with several health parameters that can be modified by diet and exercise such as weight, body fat percentage, body mass index, and waist circumference, it is recommended that these be reduced.