Relationship between age and intraocular pressure: the Blue Mountains Eye Study.

This study aimed to assess the influence of age on intraocular pressure(IOP) in a general population. The Blue Mountains Eye Study assessed 3654 residents aged 49+ years during 1992-1994. Intraocular pressure was measured using Goldmann applanation tonometry. Subjects with glaucoma, those currently on glaucoma medications and those with a history of cataract surgery were excluded. The IOP was reliably measured in 3260 subjects. Mean IOP was 16.0 mmHg with no significant difference found between men and women (P < 0.89). In univariate analyses, age was positively associated with IOP (P < 0.05). Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was strongly positively associated with IOP (P < 0.001). After adjusting for SBP, there was a trend for IOP to decrease with increasing age(P < 0.051). After further adjusting for other potential confounders (diabetes, glaucoma family history and myopia), age was no longer significantly associated with intraocular pressure (P < 0.29). In summary,no evidence was found of an independent age affect on IOP.